New Delhi: The Supreme Court will pass a reasoned order on a petition filed by activist Medha Patkar, seeking interim release of Maharashtra prisoners charged under the Special Acts, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
After hearing the submission of Advocate S B Talekar on behalf of Ms Patkar, the apex court on Monday reserved its judgement saying that it would pass a reasoned order. Mr. Talekar informed the bench that more than 10 prisoners have died.
A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by CJI SA Bobde, said that a reasoned order will be passed later on, wherein the Bombay High Court and the Maharashtra High Power Committee will be at liberty to modify its classification.
Ms Patkar moved the top court of the country, after the Bombay High Court declined to entertain this prayer. She has challenged the Bombay High Court’s decision to uphold the Maharashtra State High Powered Committee’s recommendations, to not release on emergency parole those prisoners, convicted for offences punishable with less than seven years under Special Acts, such as the NDPS Act, UAPA and MCOCA.
