The Tihar Prison authorities said they are planning to release around 3,000 prisoners to ease congestion in jails over the coronavirus threat.

Agencies

New Delhi, March 24:

The Tihar Prison authorities said they are planning to release around 3,000 prisoners to ease congestion in jails over the coronavirus threat.

“We will try to release around 1,500 convicts on parole or furlough, and around the same number (1,500) of undertrial prisoners (on interim-bail) in the coming three to four days to ease congestion in jails in the wake of coronavirus threat,” Sandeep Goel, DG (Prisons) was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

However, it will not include hardened or dangerous criminals, he said.

According to the order, prisoners convicted or charged with offenses having jail term of up to seven years can be given parole.