Supreme Court Suggests Bail for Convicts Serving Over 10 Years
On Thursday, the Supreme Court emphasized that convicts who have completed 10 years of their sentence should be granted bail unless specific reasons justify denial. The directive aims to address overcrowded prisons and expedite judicial processes.
Court’s Observations
A Bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and Abhay Sreenivas Oka made this recommendation while reviewing petitions from life convicts whose appeals are pending before various High Courts.
The Court proposed two key measures:
- Bail for Convicts: Those who have served 10 years should be released unless compelling reasons prevent it.
- Early Release: Convicts who have completed 14 years should be identified for possible pre-mature release, regardless of pending appeals.
Decluttering Prisons
The Bench urged immediate action to reduce jail overcrowding, tasking High Courts and State Legal Service Committees to implement the directive within four months.
Compliance Timeline
The matter will be reviewed in January 2023 to assess compliance across all High Courts. The Court clarified that its directions would apply uniformly to other High Courts.
This case, titled Sonadhar vs. State of Chhattisgarh, sets a significant precedent for addressing prolonged imprisonment and improving judicial efficiency.
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