UP reply sought on early release of elderly convicts

New Delhi, January 14

As an 80-year-old man convicted in a 37-year-old criminal case sought his release, the Supreme Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh Government to spell out whether it has any policy for premature release of old convicts.

“Taking into consideration the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, as mentioned above, let limited notice be issued to the state of UP to find out whether there is any policy framed by it to consider the case of premature release of accused who are 80 years old or above and convicted on long-drawn trial,” a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said.

The top court issued notice after the counsel for petitioner Kedar Yadav pointed out that his client was an 80-year-old convict. “We find that the incident is of 1985 and the final order was passed by the High Court in 2019,” it noted.

It directed the top court’s Registry to list the matter immediately after the notice was served on the Uttar Pradesh Government. — TNS

Recording wife’s talk cruelty? SC to examine

• The SC has agreed to examine whether recording wife’s telephonic conversation without her knowledge is infringement of her privacy
• A Bench issued notice on an appeal by a man challenging an order of the Punjab and Haryana HC dated Dec 12, 2021
• The SC was hearing the petition filed against a single Bench order of the High Court
• A Bathinda court had allowed the woman’s estranged husband to prove a CD pertaining to recorded conversation
• “Recording of telephonic talk without the wife’s knowledge is an infringement of her privacy,” the HC had said