SC refuses to block AP prisoners’ release

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to release over 1,000 prisoners to mark Independence Day.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to release over 1,000 prisoners to mark Independence Day.

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A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan refused to interfere with the state’s decision, saying it would hear the matter on August 24, the day fixed for the purpose.

Advocate Sateesh Galla moved the SC seeking to halt the release on the ground that the state’s July 24 order did not follow the legal process. His counsel pointed out that by the time the court heard the matter, the prisoners would already have been freed.

But the CJI said they might be re-arrested if it found the order to be incorrect.