Supreme Court orders not to arrest accused unless necessary
The supreme court said on saturday, May 8, that police should not apprehend any accused unless necessary in crimes sentenced with less than seven years imprisonment. The apex court ruled it while passing detailed orders on decongesting overcrowded jails during the raging second wave of COVID-19. The sc also instructed the authorities to ensure adequate medical facilities for the inmates. The high-powered committees constituted by the state governments and Union territories have been asked to identify and release the vulnerable categories of prisoners on an urgent basis.
The supreme court also directed that prisoners who were granted parole last year should again be given a 90-day furlough in order to tide over pandemic. "The high-powered committee, in addition to considering fresh release, should forthwith release all the inmates who had been released earlier pursuant to our order dated march 23, 2020 by imposing appropriate conditions. Such an exercise is mandated in order to save valuable time," the court said. The court observed that steps should be taken to control the spread of Covid-19 by conducting regular testing of both prisoners and jail staff and immediate treatment should be made available to them.