New Delhi: The Delhi government has said that it has decided to release prisoners on special parole and furloughs to reduce the number of prisoners in Delhi jails.
The Delhi government today informed the bench of Justice Heema Kohli and Justice Subramanian Prasad of the Delhi High Court.
The Delhi government through its advocate Anuj Aggarwal submitted that it will amend its prison rules to provide the options of special parole and furlough. It said a notification would be issued within a day to amend the prison rules to include the new provisions and the first amendment in the Prison Rules will be that in the event of a national disaster or an epidemic.
The government’s submission came while responding to a plea moved by two lawyers seeking decongesting of the prisons in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
After the amendment, a parole of 60 days can be given at once to reduce the number of prisoners in case of a pandemic or natural disaster.
The second amendment will be that in the event of a national disaster or epidemic, special furloughs will also be given, however, the days for the special furlough are yet to be decided.
On 18 March, Tihar Jail administration quarantined 18 prisoners which included 8 foreign prisoners also who were kept in isolation.
Three inmates in jail number 3 of Rohini jail and one prisoner in jail number 10 are also kept in isolation.
Similarly, some prisoners in Mandaveli jail have been kept in isolation.
The prisoners are however to be released on conditions. The petition filed said that the number of inmates in Delhi jails is high.
Therefore, those prisoners above 50 years of age who are not in good health or are imprisoned for minor offenses should be released.
The petition said that magistrates can be deployed in jails for the release of prisoners so that the prisoners do not have to go to court.
The petition has also states the Supreme court to take Suo Moto cognizance of the matter and issue notices to the states regarding the same.
