“Release All Prisoners Who Have Served Their Sentences From Jails”: Uttarakhand HC Directs State Govt

The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday has directed the state government to release all the prisoners who have served their sentences from jails by Friday evening.

A list tabulated by the jail authorities put the number of such prisoners at 167.

A division of the high court comprising of Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliayal has issued the order taking suo motu cognisance of a PIL pertaining to prisoners lodged in different jails of the state for more than 14 years.

The chief justice visited the District Jail of Haldwani and the Sampurnanand Open Jail of Sitarganj.

Keeping in mind the human rights of the prisoners, the chief justice asked for a list from the jail managements of prisoners who completed their sentences but were still in jail. The authorities found 167 such prisoners.

The high court stated that the chief secretary is aware of existing laws and must abide by them.

The chief justice stated that the court should be informed by 10:30 am on Friday about the government’s decision and all such prisoners should be freed by Friday evening.

Newly appointed home secretary Dilip Jawalkar was present during the hearing through video conference.

He said that the state government should be given more time to take a decision as the government machinery is busy with preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.

However, the court said there is no room for any excuses.

Meera Verma

Recent Posts

“It’s A Celebration For Us”: Delhi HC Bar Association Felicitates CJI Sanjiv Khanna

The Delhi High Court Bar Association on Friday honored Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv…

7 minutes ago

International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Israeli PM Netanyahu

The International Criminal Court has recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,…

35 minutes ago

Cal HC Stays Demolition Of Illegal Constructions In WB’s Mandarmoni

The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted an interim stay on the demolition of alleged…

1 hour ago

SC To Pass Order On Pleas To Efface Words ‘Secular’, ‘Socialist’ From Preamble

The Supreme Court on Friday announced that it would deliver its order on November 25…

2 hours ago

Air Pollution: SC Questions Delhi Govt On Truck Entry Amid GRAP-4 Restrictions

The Supreme Court raised concerns on Friday about the "drastic" consequences of the GRAP Stage…

2 hours ago

Allahabad HC Transfers 12 District Judge-Level Officials

In a significant judicial reshuffle, the Allahabad High Court administration on Friday transferred 12 judicial…

3 hours ago