NEW DELHI, India—Supreme Court of India has maintained stay on right of states for granting pre-mature release of prisoners adjourning the hearing on July 21, 22 & 23.
During the hearing held on Wednesday, various states including Karnatka, Tamilnadu and Punjab demanded their powers to grant pre-mature release to the prisoners be restored in the cases of life imprisonment.
It is worth mentioning that in Punjab, huge struggle is being fought by Sikhs led by Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa for release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their mandatory imprison terms. Bapu Khalsa is sitting on fast since January 16. Notwithstanding the Supreme Court ruling in this regard, legal experts say that Punjab government has will power to ensure the release.
It may be recalled that in February 2014, the apex court had commuted the punishment of death row convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Following which, Tamilnadu government led by Jaylalita issued orders for their release. Those orders were challenged by the union government in the supreme court. Acting upon the plea filed by the centre, SC had put stay on the states’ right to take the decision of pre-mature release of the prisoners.
