NALSA is requested to consider issuing a uniform country-wide SOP for protecting the rights of convicts to secure pre mature release: Supreme Court

By - Divisha Srivastava*

The Supreme Court has recently requested the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to consider releasing a standard country-wide SOP regarding pre-mature release of convicts in accordance with law.

“NALSA is requested to consider issuing a uniform country-wide SOP for protecting the rights of similarly placed convicts to secure pre mature release in accordance with the provisions of law.”, the order said. 

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The bench also directed the UP State Legal Services Authority to “ensure that its panel lawyers visit every jail in the state of UP and, after a thorough examination of the nature of the conviction, the term of the sentence, and the sentence served, advise and assist the convicts in drafting appropriate representations to enable them to pursue their remedies in respect of pre-mature release in accordance with law”.

The bench comprising Justices D. Y. Chandrachud and M. R. Shah was hearing SLPs filed from jail challenging Allahabad High Court’s decision affirming the petitioners’ conviction under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC. 

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After considering the submissions putforth by the counsel for the petitioners, Dr Rajiv Nanda, the bench upheld the High Court’s judgment and dismissed the SLP.

CLICK HERE TO READ ORDER.

*Divisha Srivastava is a 1st year student pursuing B.B.A.LL.B from S.N.D.T School of Law, Mumbai, Maharashtra.