Read Time: 05 minutes

Supreme Court on Thursday said that it will pass orders in regard to the matter concerning delay in relase of convicts from jail while hearing a Suo Moto Writ Petition on “Delay In release of Convicts After Grant of Bail”.

Amicus Curie Dushyant Dave submitted that a new process has been formulated which will be equipped with the FASTER system in consultation.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice Surya Kant was hearing a suo moto matter in which the Court had taken cognizance on a report stating that the convicts lodged in Agra Central Jail have not been released on interim bail even after 3 days of the Order passed.

"We'll exercise our powers in terms of Article 142," the CJI said.

Earlier, the Court had asked the States to submit details of whether efficient internet facilities are available in their respective prisons. Today, Dave told Court that Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland & parts of Assam have expressed difficulties with internet facilities and connectivity.

The Court had further directed the Secretary-General of the Supreme Court to suggest modalities to implement FASTER system.

Background

Supreme Court while hearing a Suo Moto Writ Petition on “Delay In release of Convicts After Grant of Bail” acknowledged the need of speedier delivery of orders for Execution and passed a direction to the Registry with respect to the same.

Solicitor General, Mr. Mehta had suggested that orders uploaded on Court Websites can also be designated as “Official Orders” to effectuate quick release.

Brief submission was also made highlighting the need of “authentic orders” by the Jail authorities.

A Full Bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justice Nageswara Rao and Justice AS Bopanna, while hearing the matter had said,

“In this age of Information and communication Technology, we are still looking at the skies for pigeons to communicate orders”

Court shared its deliberation on rolling out a Scheme “FASTER: Fast and Secure Transmission of Electronic Record”

Secretary General, Supreme Court has been directed to submit a detailed report within two weeks.

The bench aims at revolutionising transmission of Court orders, through credible channels, so that the implementation of it takes lesser time, benefitting persons enlarged on Bail.

Hon’ble Chief Justice also recorded that the order copies are available but jail authorities are not acting on it.

Case Title: In Re Delay In Release Of Convicts After Grant Of Bail