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NHRC suggests regular holding of special courts in jails
New Delhi, July 16: Disturbed over the plight of the burgeoning population of under-trials in the country, National Human Rights Commission has suggested regular holding of special courts in jails and their monitoring by the Chief Justice and senior judges of high courts.
New Delhi, July 16: Disturbed over the plight of the burgeoning population of under-trials in the country, National Human Rights Commission has suggested regular holding of special courts in jails and their monitoring by the Chief Justice and senior judges of high courts.
In a letter to chief justices of all high courts, NHRC
chairman A S Anand suggested monthly review of the cases of
undertrials, release of undertrials on personal bonds and
visits of district and sessions judge to jails.
"Slow progress of cases in courts and the operation of the system of bail to the disadvantage of the poor and the illiterate prisoners is responsible for the pathetic plight of these forgotton souls who continue to suffer all the hardships of incarceration although their guilt is yet to be established," he said.
Emphasising that the Supreme Court has issued clear directions for release on bail and for discharge of certain categories of undertrials, the NHRC chief said there was a need for monthly review of the cases of undertrials in the light of the apex court directions.
"A number of undertrials are found to be languishing in jails even after being granted bail simply because they are unable to raise sureties," it said.
The commission said cases of such undertrials could be reviewed after six to eight weeks to consider their suitability for release on personal bonds, especially in cases when they were first offenders and punishment was also less than two to three years.
Bureau Report
"Slow progress of cases in courts and the operation of the system of bail to the disadvantage of the poor and the illiterate prisoners is responsible for the pathetic plight of these forgotton souls who continue to suffer all the hardships of incarceration although their guilt is yet to be established," he said.
Emphasising that the Supreme Court has issued clear directions for release on bail and for discharge of certain categories of undertrials, the NHRC chief said there was a need for monthly review of the cases of undertrials in the light of the apex court directions.
"A number of undertrials are found to be languishing in jails even after being granted bail simply because they are unable to raise sureties," it said.
The commission said cases of such undertrials could be reviewed after six to eight weeks to consider their suitability for release on personal bonds, especially in cases when they were first offenders and punishment was also less than two to three years.
Bureau Report