Bail orders will be sent instantly to jail authorities: SC

Subject: Governance

Context: The Chief Justice of India has announced FASTER scheme to cut delays in release from jail.

Concept:

In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court has made concerted moves to de-congest prisons.
The court turned a humanitarian eye to the over four lakh prison population trapped inside overcrowded jails as a surging second wave led to huge loss of lives.
Earlier, a Bench led by Chief Justice Ramana had ordered the police to limit arrests during the pandemic to prevent over-crowding in jails.
The bench also urged courts to not order detention in a mechanical manner in cases involving the punishment of less or up to seven years’ imprisonment.
It had ordered High-Powered Committees constituted in most States and Union Territories to screen prisoners and release them on interim bail.

FASTER Scheme:

The new scheme is called ‘FASTER’ or ‘Fast and Secure Transmission of Electronic Records’.
Through this, by which the Supreme Court would instantly, directly, securely and electronically transmit bail and other orders to jail authorities, district courts and High Courts.