Today, On 27th June, The Uttar Pradesh government paid man Rs.5 lakh as compensation for illegal detention following the Supreme Court criticism to the State for keeping the man in jail for nearly a month even after he was granted bail.
NEW DELHI: 4th April: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court of India, requesting the release of elderly and terminally ill convicts across the country. This move aligns with a special campaign launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide legal aid and support for such prisoners.
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud noted that a Supreme Court report on prisoner issues was inspired by President Murmu’s speech on inmates’ challenges. He emphasized the importance of judicial reforms for prisoners’ rights, revealed new publications marking the Supreme Court’s 75th anniversary, and addressed issues like menstrual equity and caste discrimination in prisons.
The Madras High Court urged the Tamil Nadu government to consider establishing an open-air jail exclusively for women. This proposal aims to provide a conducive and rehabilitative environment for female inmates, mirroring the benefits offered to male prisoners. The court’s directive came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the existing rules.
Former Supreme Court Justice Madan B. Lokur stressed the need for the judiciary to prioritize bail over incarceration in India. He criticized the diminishing “bail, not jail” principle and highlighted a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the norm. The event also promoted open prisons as a successful model for inmate rehabilitation and reintegration.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, has announced the 2024 schedule for Quarterly Undertrial Review Committee (QURC) meetings. These meetings aim to review prisoner cases and recommend releases, following Supreme Court directives. The announcement emphasizes the need for timely justice delivery and the importance of UTRCs in preventing extended pre-trial detentions.
On Monaday (11th March): The Chhattisgarh High Court has urged the state to consider introducing open jails, as overcrowding and prolonged incarceration pose significant challenges. The court highlighted the potential benefits of open prisons, promoting social integration and skill development for inmates. The state has been directed to assess the feasibility of implementing open jails by April 15.