The Supreme Court ordered on Friday that all convicts and undertrial prisoners who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic to decongest jails surrender within 15 days.
A bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar said undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender.
The bench stated that “all convicts who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic after their surrender can move competent courts for suspension of their sentence.”
Several convicts and undertrial prisoners, mostly those who were booked for non-heinous offenses, were released during the pandemic in various states on the recommendations of a high-powered committee set up pursuant to directions of the apex court.
