“The state will be implementing a new provision under Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Nyay Sanhita (BNNS) law, as directed by the Supreme Court. This provision will also apply to existing prisoners,” said DIG Maurya.Jail sources report that Dehradun’s district jail, with a capacity of 580 inmates, currently houses over 900 undertrials and 369 convicts. Similarly, Haldwani’s district jail, designed for 635 inmates, is home to 1,300 undertrials and 140 convicts.The situation is equally dire in Haridwar, where the district jail’s capacity of 888 is overwhelmed by 684 undertrials and 566 convicts. This alarming trend raises concerns about the living conditions and rehabilitation prospects for inmates.The Supreme Court’s ruling is part of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which introduces relaxed bail provisions for first-time offenders.Under this law, first-time offenders can seek bail if they have served one-third of the maximum sentence for their alleged offence. The Supreme Court has directed jail superintendents to process applications for all eligible undertrial prisoners within three months.Rajeev Sharma, President of the Dehradun Bar Association, commented, “The court’s decision reiterates the principle that bail is the rule, and jail is the exception, emphasising the need to protect constitutional liberties and the right to presumption of innocence.”
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