HC Bar demands release of prisoners, under trials

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 27: J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagar today impressed upon the authorities for ordering release of all the detenues and political prisoners lodged in jails in and outside J&K.
The Bar pressed upon the authorities to constitute a high-powered committee with a view to direct release of prisoners in the face of the COVID-19 viral threat, which has resulted in a global lockdown now.
“Since the jails throughout India are mostly overcrowded, therefore, the Supreme Court noticing the potential threat to the lives of inmates, particularly those suffering from diabetes, hypertension and other life-threatening diseases, who have been found more susceptible to become victims of COVID-19,” a statement issued here said.
The Bar members noticing that their President, Mian Abdul Qayoom, who is in his advanced age surviving on a single kidney, suffering from multiple chronic ailments which include diabetes, hypertension, severe nerve damage, 60 percent blockage in one of the arteries of heart, resulting in his frail immune system, is more prone to become victim of deadly virus with minimal chances of his survival.
The members also stated that at the time when the whole world has united to counter the deadly virus by maintaining social distance, it would be very prudent and appropriate for the authorities to release the detenues/under trial political prisoners from their respective jails, either permanently or on parole.