Home / Crime and Justice / Delhi Jails Decongest: 5,197 Undertrials Released on Bail in 4 Years
Delhi Jails Decongest: 5,197 Undertrials Released on Bail in 4 Years
26 Jul
Summary
- 5,197 undertrial prisoners released from Delhi jails since 2019 on UTRC recommendations
- Tihar Jail, one of India's largest, to be shifted to outskirts of Delhi
- Undertrial prisoners make up 76% of India's jail population, up from 66% in 2012
In a bid to reduce the burden on Delhi's overcrowded jails, the Undertrial Review Committee (UTRC) has recommended the release of 5,197 undertrial prisoners between 2019 and June 2023. The UTRC, established in 2015 on the order of the Supreme Court, reviews cases of prisoners to ensure they do not remain in jail for long.
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) plays a crucial role in this process, with legal aid clinics in the city's 16 jails identifying eligible undertrials and moving their applications for bail or modification of bail conditions. The UTRC, headed by the district and sessions judge, then convenes quarterly meetings to make recommendations for release.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government is taking steps to address the larger issue of prison overcrowding. In March 2023, the chief minister announced plans to shift the Tihar Jail complex, one of India's largest, to the outskirts of the city. The government has allocated Rs 10 crore in the 2025-26 budget for the survey and consultancy related to the shift.
The problem of overcrowding in Indian prisons is widespread, with undertrial prisoners now making up 76% of the jail population, up from 66% in 2012. Experts argue that a holistic approach, including improvements in judicial infrastructure and police functioning, is needed to tackle this issue.
