Supreme Court of India.
Supreme Court Slams UP Government For Not Releasing Man Despite Bail, Imposes Rs 5 Lakh Fine: India’s Supreme Court has strongly criticized jail officials in Uttar Pradesh. They delayed the release of a man granted bail. The court has ordered the state government to pay him ₹5 lakh (about $6,000 USD).
The accused was granted bail on April 29. This was in a case under the state’s anti-conversion law. However, he was only released from Ghaziabad district jail on June 24.
Justices K.V. Viswanathan and N. Kotiswar Singh oversaw the case. They asked the Director General of Prisons of Uttar Pradesh, who appeared via video, “What do you propose to do to sensitise your officers?”
The judges stressed the importance of personal freedom. They said officers must understand Article 21 of the Constitution. This article guarantees the right to liberty.
“Liberty is a very valuable and precious right guaranteed under the Constitution,” the Supreme Court said.
The lawyer for Uttar Pradesh Government stated the accused was released on Tuesday. An investigation has begun to find out why there was a delay.
The court has ordered this inquiry. It will be conducted by the principal district and sessions judge, Ghaziabad. A report must be submitted to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court first reacted strongly to this issue on Tuesday. The accused claimed he was not released because a sub-section of the anti-conversion law was missing from his bail order.
The court noted that it had granted bail on April 29. A trial court in Ghaziabad then issued a release order on May 27. This order told the jail superintendent to release the accused on a personal bond. It also specified he should be released unless held for other matters.
