Analysis
COVID Coverage: Contagion in Prisons – June 1st
The Supreme Court directed remission boards to continue hearings and release those entitled, with States submitting affidavits on compliance
Directing Remission Boards to resume functions
The issue came up on account of an interlocutory application filed by Adv. Shoeb Alam. The IA was brought to the Bench’s attention by Adv. Colin Gonsalves. The application was with regards to the present state of remission hearings across the country as they are at a standstill and the remission board isn’t functioning.
The Bench ordered that remission boards shall continue to hear appeals for remission and proceed to release all those entitled. Upon a submission from the Amicus, the Bench further ordered that all State Governments and Union Territories be directed to file affidavits indicating compliance to the Benches order dated May 7th 2021. This affidavit must contain particulars of prisoners who’ve been released on parole or bail following the recommendation of the High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted. Four weeks were given to file this affidavit alongside particulars of deaths in the prisons due to COVID-19.