The Uttarakhand High Court has come down heavily on the state authorities over the continued incarceration of 140 convicts who are eligible for early release, expressing deep concern at the prolonged delay despite clear government orders.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, while hearing the matter on Saturday, noted that some of the prisoners had been eligible for release as far back as 2019, 2020, and 2021. The court observed that, in spite of repeated efforts by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), and District Legal Services Authorities to streamline and expedite the release process, eligible convicts continue to languish in jails for over five to six years.
Calling it a stark case of “administrative apathy”, the court ordered the formation of a competent authority board within two weeks to consider the release of such prisoners. It further directed that the process of reviewing each individual case be initiated without delay.
The report submitted to the court clearly indicated that 140 convicts, who had fulfilled the criteria under the state’s remission policy, were still behind bars. The bench expressed displeasure at the inaction and insisted that the right to liberty cannot be curtailed through bureaucratic negligence.
