Uttarakhand High Court mandates release of prisoners who have served their sentences, setting a precedent for prompt justice delivery. Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal lead the decision following a PIL on prolonged detention.
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Uttarakhand: Today(21st March), The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a directive to the state government, instructing them to release all prisoners who have exceeded their sentences, potentially changing the lives of many incarcerated individuals.
The decision came when a division of the high court, led by Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, took Suo motu cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the prolonged detention of inmates across various correctional facilities in the state.
The urgency of the matter was palpable as the court ordered:
“The chief secretary is aware of existing laws and must abide by them.”
Chief Justice Bahri personally visited the District Jail of Haldwani and the Sampurnanand Open Jail of Sitarganj. It was during these visits that of the situation was fully realized. Moved by the plight of the inmates, the Chief Justice requested a comprehensive list of prisoners who had served their sentences but were still confined. The resulting list revealed a staggering number of 167 individuals caught in this situation.
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In response to the court’s directive, the newly appointed home secretary, Dilip Jawalkar, appeared via video conference during the hearing. He appealed for additional time for the government to deliberate, citing the ongoing preparations for the Lok Sabha polls as a significant preoccupation. However, the court’s stance was firm and unyielding, as it declared-
“There is no room for any excuses.”
The court’s order was clear and unequivocal:
“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.”
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This directive not only emphasizes the urgency of the situation but also highlights the court’s determination to uphold the principles of justice and human rights.
