Centre relief for 539 undertrials in Punjab

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24

Over 530 undertrials are languishing in Punjab jails despite having completed their likely maximum sentence or more than half of the likely sentence to be awarded in case of their conviction. Thanks to the Union Government’s intervention, these prisoners can soon be out of jail.

The figures made available by the National Crime Records Bureau show that two-thirds of the prisoners in Punjab jails are undertrials. The Department of Justice has asked the state government to initiate action for the release of such prisoners in coordination with the judiciary.

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In a letter to the state government, the Secretary (Justice) has said the data from the ePrisons application of the National Informatics Centre (updated on January 19) shows that 539 undertrials in the state are eligible for relief under Section 436-A of CrPC and that 137 have already completed their likely maximum sentence.

“This data may require further verification/ updation... You will agree that immediate action is needed to review these cases, to release undertrial prisoners who have completed their likely maximum sentence..." reads the letter.

Section 436-A says if an undertrial has been in jail for more than half of the maximum punishment for the crime he is charged with, he should be released on a personal bond without bail. Sources say this provision is sparingly used.