Law Min appeals to HC CJs to release undertrials completing half of their sentence

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said in Rajya Sabha that he has appealed to chief justices of high courts to ensure expeditious trial and release undertrials who have completed half of their sentences.

In a reply during Question Hour, he said, "I have written to the chief justices of the high courts. Undertrial prisoners who under 436 A have completed 50 per cent or more of the detention, they should be released. There is a review committee for it. The court has to take the decision."
He added: "It falls under purview of either High Court or Public Service Commission. We have written repeatedly to Chief Justice of India and Chief Justices of High Courts to take steps."
He said: "We need to reinforce the legal aid system. From 2015 till December 3, 2019, a total of 10,172,630 criminal cases has been disposed of. We need to expedite it."