HC allows releases of bailed accused on personal bond

The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed release of all undertrials, who were given bail to curb overcrowding in jails amid the COVID-19 spread, on furnishing of personal bonds itself.

A bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Verma ordered the release of the bailed out accused on basis of personal bonds in view of their difficulties in finding people top stand sureties for them amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The bench came to the rescue of prisoners invoking its inherent powers under the Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India.

"It is brought to our notice that before enforcement of the lockdown, different courts in Uttar Pradesh including the high court have passed orders to release the accused applicants on bail but they have not been released so far due to non-availability of sureties, the bench said