Sharing location, video calls in HC bail conditions to track prisoners on bail during lockdown

Sharing of location through Google Maps and marking presence on video call are some of the bail conditions put up by the Delhi High Court to keep track of prisoners who are being released during the coronavirus pandemic to decongest jails.

In three separate orders granting interim suspension of sentences, Justice Anup J Bhambhani has directed the three convicts to make a video call every Friday to the police officer concerned and also 'drop-a-pin' on Google Maps so that the officer can verify the prisoner's presence and location.

The court passed the orders keeping in view the “unprecedented circumstances of a public health emergency" that prevail today and the consequent need to “decongest prisons for the overall medical safety of all prisoners”.


Those who were released are a 73-year-old retired school teacher, a 21-year-old man and an ATM van driver in cases of a minor's rape, rash and negligent driving and defalcation of Rs 51 lakh cash respectively.

“The appellant (convict) will make a video-call every Friday between 11 am and 11:30 am to the Investigating Officer, and in case the Investigating Officer is no longer in service or is otherwise unavailable, then to the SHO of the Police Station where the case was registered and also 'drop-a-pin' on Google maps, so that the IO/SHO can verify the appellant's presence and location.

“Counsel for the appellant has confirmed that the appellant has the wherewithal to comply with this condition,” the judge said in the three orders.

The court also asked the convicts to furnish their mobile number with the jail superintendent and ensure that the number is kept active and switched on at all times.