Today, the Supreme Court of India directed that all convicts and undertrial prisoners, who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic in a move to decongest jails, to surrender within 15 days.

A division bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar held undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender. 

"All the convicts who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic after their surrender can move competent courts for suspension of their sentence", the bench said.

Several convicts and undertrial prisoners, mostly those who were booked for non-heinous offences, were released during the pandemic in various states on the recommendations of a high-powered committee set up in pursuant to directions of the apex court. 

"Here petitioner convicted under 302 (punishment for murder)...he has to undergo the period actually and the period of emergency parole has to be excluded from the sentence and thus no relief from this Court. Thus, dismissed," said the Bench.