Haryana: Directions issued to decongest prisons

On 11th May, the High Powered Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice Rajan Gupta, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court issued directions for the decongestion of prisons. Some of these directions have been reproduced below-

1. Parole-

   • All the convicts sentenced to imprisonment for more than 07 years who were released earlier on special parole under the categories prescribed by this Committee be released by competent authorities again on special parole till 31.08.2021 on the same set of sureties, if the sureties so consent for the same and without holding fresh inquiry.

   • Further in case of new sureties are required where old sureties refuse to give their consent, fresh sureties be accepted to the satisfaction of competent authority without holding fresh inquiry in order to ensure expeditious release.

   • Special parole granted to convicts who were to surrender in 9th phase starting from 14.05.2021 shall also stand extended till 31.08.2021. However, convicts who have failed to surrender on date fixed or are absconding or against whom new case/cases were registered while on special parole shall not be entitled to special parole.

   • Extend the parole / interim bail of 2017 convicts / undertrials who are sentenced up to 07 years / facing trial for offences which stipulate maximum imprisonment up to 07 years, till 31.08.2021.

2. Physical Appearances-

   • Physical appearance of undertrials in courts be stopped for the time being. Accused be produced by way of video conferencing.

   • Keeping in view the increase in number of COVID infected cases inside the prisons, jail authorities are directed to stop the interviews of inmates with their family members to minimize the risk of COVID infection amongst the prisoners and jail staff. Jail authorities may allow interviews through video conferencing or other electronic modes in a transparent and structured manner.