SC Refuses Bail Extension To Convicts Released Over COVID-19 Outbreak

The Supreme Court on March 1 refused to extend bail to 2,674 prisoners from Delhi who were released to decongest jails, following the COVID-19 outbreak. The apex court has ceded the convicts, 15 days to surrender before the jail authorities. While prisoners contested that cells are still overpopulated, with 17,000 inmates against sanctioned 10,000, the bench maintained that it would deal with overcrowding later. However, the Court asked to tackle bail plea on the basis of each case.