At least 76 persons have been released from Srinagar Central Jail in the past two weeks after Supreme Court directed states and Union Territories to consider decongesting jails in view of COVID19 threat. An official said those released included 31 detenues who were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) and 36 six under trials. One convict was also released on parole, the official said. The thirty six under trials were released on bail granted by the competent courts after they were represented by legal aid counsel, seeking their release in view of COVID19 threat. “Different courts of Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla have granted bail to persons who were lodged in Srinagar Central Jail for different alleged offences,” said advocate Mir NaveedGul, legal aid counsel for jail inmates of Srinagar Central Jail, engaged by District Legal Services Authority. He said proceedings were heard by the courts through virtual mode, after Supreme Court asked the courts to discourage physical presence of lawyers and litigants. The counsel for applicants and prosecution submitted their arguments through WattsApp. After hearing both the sides, the courts also issued the orders and provided copies of orders to parties via virtual mode. Gul said he was filing applications and arguments through e-mail and WattsApp from his residence and in case need arises, telephonically as well. He said he would be submitting more application before competent courts, seeking release of other jail inmates in Srinagar Central Jail. Earlier, advocate Gul moved 24 bail and parole applications before different courts in Srinagar including the court of Chief Judicial magistrate, city munsiff court and other judicial magistrate of first class. The Supreme Court has asked states and Union Territories to consider release of convicted prisoners with up to seven years of sentences and under-trials, in order to decongest prisons.
