National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice (retd.) K.G. Balakrishnan Thursday said overcrowding in Indian prisons can be reduced if the number of undertrials is brought down.
"If a charge sheet is being filed and there is no indication that the accused may influence witnesses or the evidence, what is the reason of keeping him behind bars," Balakrishnan told IANS at a two-day national seminar on prison reforms.
He also said steps should be taken to decrease problems in jails. "State governments should invest to build more jails and improve infrastructure," he said.
Many prision and government officials attended the seminar and informed the participants on the status of the prisons in their respective states.
The seminar will conclude Friday.