Written to CMs to release undertrial prisoners who have completed half their terms: Rajnath

Reiterating the Supreme Court's order on the release of undertrial prisoners, who have already served half of their maximum sentence, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that a few days ago, he had written to chief ministers of all states to work for their quick release.

"There are many undertrial prisoners who have been in jail for a long time. Many have already completed their sentence of imprisonment under the sections imposed on them and some have even exceeded that sentence. Due to this, a new problem is arising because jails also have a limited capacity and the number of such prisoners has increased more than required," said Singh during a Cabinet briefing.

"Therefore, the undertrial prisoners, who have already served half of their sentence of imprisonment will be released. Their release will not only reduce pressure on our jail but will also sensitize the system. It will also arouse a human aspect of the government. That's why I have written a letter to the Chief Ministers of all the states few days ago," he added.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had directed the judicial officers to release all the undertrial prisoners, who have spent half of their maximum sentence languishing behind bars.

The apex court directed all the judicial officers to start visiting jails from October 1 and asked them to file a report after two months on the prisoners released by them.

The Supreme Court also asked the Centre to place before it a roadmap for fast tracking the criminal justice system.