New Delhi, Jan. 25: Law and justice minister M. Veerappa Moily on Monday announced a six-month deadline, starting January 26, for the release of up to 70 per cent of the two lakh-plus undertrials languishing in prisons across the country.
This, he said, would be implemented by working with the various high courts in order to decongest jails. "The government expects 70 per cent of two lakh undertrials to be identified by July 31 for discharge or grant of bail," he said.
"The Jharkhand high court identified 436 and the Calcutta high court identified 37 undertrials ... who can be released immediately. Since tomorrow is a holiday, they can be freed on January 27," Mr Moily added.
Age Correspondent