Tihar Jail authority releases 400 inmates to decongest prisons amid COVID-19 lockdown

Tihar Jail authority has released over 400 inmates to reduce overcrowding in prisons to prevent spre of coronavirus, officials said on Saturday.

According to a senior jail official, 356 inmates were released on bail, while 63 inmates were released on emergency parole.

interim bail is for 45 days and emergency parole is for eight weeks, official said.

Earlier on Monday, prison authorities h said y were planning to release around 3,000 prisoners to ease congestion in jails due COVID-19 threat. Hardened or dangerous criminals will t be released, y h said.

According to order, prisoners convicted or charged for offenses carrying jail terms of up to seven years can be given parole.

Supreme Court h on March 23 directed all states and Union Territories to constitute high-level committees to consider releasing on parole or interim bail prisoners and undertrials for offences entailing up to seven-year jail terms to decongest prisons in wake of coronavirus pandemic.

Im Credits: ANI