Covid-19: Chhattisgarh releases 1,478 prisoners after SC order

Out of the 1,478 inmates, 427 have been released from various jails on interim bail of less than three months, 742 on interim bail for over three months, 262 on parole and another 46 on completion of their sentence, they added.

Updated on: Apr 8, 2020, 19:53:16 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh government has released 1, 478 prisoners till Wednesday from various jails of the state on bail, parole, and completion of their sentences after the Supreme Court’s order to decongest prisons in wake of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, jail authorities said.

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Out of the 1,478 inmates, 427 have been released from various jails on interim bail of less than three months, 742 on interim bail for over three months, 262 on parole and another 46 on completion of their sentence, they added.

On Tuesday, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel directed officials to ensure strict compliance of precautionary measures against Covid-19 such as social distancing, wearing of masks and frequent washing of hands in the prisons across the state.

He also directed officials to house new prisoners in separate barracks and arrange for thermal scanners and hand sanitisers at the entrance of jails.

Prison visits have also been suspended till April 14, the day the ongoing 21-day officially ends unless the government extends it further, the authorities added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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