Jaipur, July 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has called for steps to address the grave issue of the high number of under trial prisoners, saying there is a need to question procedures that lead to prolonged incarceration without any trial. According to Kashmir Media Service, N V Ramana addressing an event in Jaipur said, out of 6.10 lakh prisoners in the country, nearly 80 per cent, are under trial prisoners and lamented that in the criminal justice system, the process “is a punishment”.

He described jails as black boxes and said prisons have a different impact on different categories of prisoners, particularly those belonging to marginalised communities. In the criminal justice system, the process is a punishment. From indiscriminate arrest to difficulty in obtaining bail, the process, leading to prolonged incarceration of under trial prisoners, needs urgent attention, he said.

The Chief Justice said prolonged incarceration in huge numbers without a trial needs attention. However, he said that the goal should not be limited to enabling the early release of under trial prisoners. “Rather, we should question procedures which lead to such prolonged incarceration in huge numbers without a trial”, he added.

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