‘We Want to Correct the System’: SC Reprimands UP Govt for Delay in Hearing Remission Pleas

The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh government for failing to comply with its order to consider remission pleas within the specified timeframe. The court directed the principal secretary of the state’s prisons department to appear before it on August 19, 2024.

“We want to correct the system,” a division bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih stated while hearing a convict’s plea seeking remission in accordance with the applicable state policy.

The apex court directed the principal secretary of the prison department to appear via video conference.

The court expressed strong disapproval when the state government’s counsel again requested more time during the hearing today.

“Four months have passed. Again you are asking for two more months to decide the plea. Nothing has been done. As far as the state of UP is concerned, we have seen that the orders passed by this court for considering remission pleas of accused persons within a specific time are not being adhered to,” the court said.

The Supreme Court, in April had granted six weeks for the Uttar Pradesh government to act.

On July 10, during the subsequent hearing, the court was informed that the state government had not issued any orders despite jail authorities favorably recommending the case of the petitioner.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International