Kochi, March 30 The Kerala High Court on Monday granted parole till April 30 to all prisoners in Kerala who are either undertrials or remand prisoners, provided they are sentenced to less than seven years imprisonment.
According to reports on the 54 jails in the state there are 8600 prisoners and this move could benefit around 1000 prisoners.
However, habitual criminals will not get the benefit of this parole.
The court took this as a special case to reduce the crowding in jails in the wake of the coronavirus and as Kerala is one state that has been badly affected.
The court however directed that all such prisoners who go on parole, have to first report to their nearest police station and remain in their homes.
In case of any violation, the police can arrest such people and put them back in jail.
( With inputs from IANS )