Government is preparing a list of detainees who will be released in the next week, mostly on parole, to decongest jails in J&K in the wake of deadly COVID-19 outbreak.
The moves comes two days after a high-powered committee wasset up by the Jammu and Kashmir government on the directions of Supreme Courton the release of prisoners to decongest jails.
The detainees will be released from central jail Srinagar,sub-jail Kupwara, sub-jail Baramulla and other prisons of J&K.
“Scrutiny of cases has started,” a senior governmentofficial told Greater Kashmir. “Recommendations will be made after the scrutinyand meeting is expected on April 10 in which release orders of detainees willbe issued.”
The officer said that cases of under-trials are beingscrutinised by judges while as cases of convicts are being vetted by theDirector General of Police, Prisons J&K. “On the basis of the nature of theoffence, the number of years spent in detention and severity of offence, theCommittee will propose release of convicted prisoners and under-trials.”
In case of under-trial prisoners, the official said it hasbeen proposed that they may be considered for 60 days interim bail, extendablefor another period in case the circumstances so demand, on furnishing suretyand personal bond.
He said all those who have completed their sentence but arestill in prison due to non-payment of fine will be considered for parole.
The committee comprises of Executive Chairman J&K SLSA,Justice Rajesh Bindal, as its Chairman with Principal Secretary Home ShaleenKabra and Director General of Police (Prisons) J&K, V K Singh, as itsmembers.
Sources in Prisons department said scrutiny of the cases hasalready been stated. “Today a judge visited Baramulla jail for scrutinypurpose,” a senior Prisons official told Greater Kashmir. “Documents ofdetainees in Srinagar central jail have already been sent for scrutiny.”
A senior official said that earlier 14 detainees werereleased after JK Home Department revoked their PSA. “We are expecting more PSArevocations soon,” he said. “The revocations are taking place after the reportby the police.”