New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response from the Centre, the Delhi government, the police and prison authorities in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the temporary release of inmates, involved in non-heinous crimes, from jails in the city amid spiralling Covid-19 cases.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh was hearing a plea filed by one Shobha Gupta.
The petitioner prayed to release all the under trials and convicted prisoners on interim bail/parole with maximum imprisonment of up to 7 years and fine (non-heinous crime) in Tihar Jail, Mandoli Jail and Rohini Jail.
The court has issued notice to the authorities and asked their responses by May 4.
The plea contended that in Tihar Jail, 190 inmates and 304 prison staff have tested positive for ‘coronavirus’.
"Out of the 67 inmates, 7 prison officials are still undergoing treatment and two inmates have died because of the pandemic. 35 have been hospitalized and one prison doctor is among the 7 jail officials to have been undergoing treatment for the ‘coronavirus’," it said.
Advocate Ajay Verma, on behalf of petitioners, also sought the temporary release of inmates who were previously released and those who have surrendered on the basis of good conduct and also those who are suffering from any ailment.
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