SC Directs Convicts, Undertrial Prisoners Released During Covid To Surrender Within 15 Days

The Supreme Court has directed to all convicts and undertrial prisoners, who were released during the Covid-19 pandemic, to surrender within 15 days.

SC directs prisoners released during Covid pandemic to surrender within 15 days

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed that all convicts and undertrial prisoners, who were released during the Covid-19 pandemic, surrender within 15 days, reported PTI. They were released from prisons to decongest and in an attempt to minimise the Covid infection in the jails. 

As per a PTI report, a bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar said that undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender. 

SC directs all convicts, undertrial prisoners released during COVID-19 pandemic to surrender within 15 days

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2023

"All the convicts who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic after their surrender can move competent courts for suspension of their sentence", the bench said, quoted PTI. 

Notably, several convicts and undertrial prisoners, with most of them booked for non-heinous offences, were released during the pandemic in various states. The decision was taken on the recommendations of a high-powered committee.