High-Powered Committee is at liberty to change norms: SC on plea seeking interim release of prisoners under special acts

The Supreme Court, while hearing a plea for interim release of prisoners charged under Special Acts amid COVID-19, on Monday observed that it will pass a detailed order and held that the High-Powered Committee will be at liberty to change its norms as per changing conditions.

Social activist Medha Patkar, her organization National Alliance of People's Movements, along with social activist Meera Sadanand Kamath had approached the apex court challenging the August 5 judgment of the Bombay High Court whereby all such convicted prisoners undergoing punishment under the Special Acts were denied interim bail in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

The bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde said it will pass a detailed and reasoned order and will observe that the High Power Committee, set up to consider the release of prisoners on interim bail or emergency parole to decongest prisons amid COVID-19, will be at liberty to change its norms as per conditions.

The plea said that the top court had on March 23 ordered that all states should constitute a High-Powered Committee for the release of prisoners on interim bail or emergency parole to decongest prisons amid the ongoing due COVID-19 pandemic.

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