Good News! SC orders release of undertrial prisoners languishing in jails

• The Supreme Court on Friday ordered release of all undertrial prisoners
• The release will be applicable on those who have spent half of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offences 
• This comes out as a big relief to poor people who are unable to pay sureties and bail bond to get out of jail
• The SC asked lower judicial officers to visit each jail and free such prisoners asap
• A deadline of two months has been set to finish the work
• "The judicial officers (Magistrate/Sessions Judge/Chief Judicial Magistrate)shall identify prisoners who have completed half of the maximum period of imprisonment provided for the offences they are charged with. After complying the procedure under Section 436A of Criminal Procedure Code they shall pass appropriate order in jail itself for the release of such prisoners," a bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha said. 
• "They shall visit once in a week for two months in each jail under their jurisdiction for the purpose of effective implementation of Section 436A for releasing prisoners," it said. 
• India has around 3.81 lakh prisoner, out of which about 2.54 lakh are undertrials.
• Judicial officers will file a report to Registrar General if the concerned HC after finishing their work
• After which Registrar General will file a compiled report to the Supreme Court.