SC asks UP's DGP prisons to file personal affidavit

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the director general of prisons in Uttar Pradesh to file a personal affidavit on whether the state had complied with a 2022 judgment of the top court directing it to consider premature release of certain prisoners in line with a 2018 policy.

The direction was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha, which also issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority. Speaking for the bench, the CJI verbally remarked that it will ask the State Legal Services to visit all prisons and find out about all such inmates etc. "We will streamline it," the CJI added.

The court has asked the DGP to furnish information with regard to number of convicts eligible for premature release district-wise; number of cases considered for premature release since the judgment of Rashidul Zafar (2022); number of cases pending, and the time period by when cases will be considered.