UP govt to release 8974 prisoners from overcrowded jails

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh government would release 8974 prisoners from jail on interim bail and special parole to protect the prisoners from Covid infection due to over-crowding in the jails.

Giving the above information here on Friday, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Prisons, Avnish Kumar Awasthi said that the prisoners in the state were released on more than 7 years punishment and 2456 convicted prisoners of other categories on special parole.

Orders have been issued to release, of which 2011 prisoners have so far been released on special parole.

It may be mentioned that on the instructions of Supreme Court, the said action has been taken by the Government to release convicted prisoners on parole on the recommendations of the High Powered Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court. (UNI)