Coronavirus: Bail to be sought for undertrials to reduce Maha

In view of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the state, the Maharashtra Prisons department will request judicial authorities to grant regular or provisional bail to undertrials to reduce crowding in jails, Additional Director General of Prisons Sunil Ramanand said on Tuesday.

Prisons in the state have over 35,000 inmates and there was need to reduce the numbers to stop the fast- spreading virus, the ADG told reporters.

"Therefore, we are trying to reduce the number of undertrials who are being prosecuted for cases which entail a maximum jail term of seven years. We have set up quarantine rooms in jails to combat the coronavirus outbreak," he said.

"Restrictions on direct communication between prisoners and their relatives have been imposed. However, we have provided them telephone and video conferencing facilities to communicate," Ramanand added.