Out on Covid parole, 65% undertrials in Delhi absconding, many returned to crime

Out on Covid parole, 65% undertrials in Delhi absconding, many returned to crime

With the Supreme Court’s order last week to not arrest accused unless necessary and extend parole of inmates, many senior officers feel that it may lead to an increase in crime.

The Supreme Court has ordered an extension to the emergency parole of all inmates released from jails in March 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic. But data with Delhi Prison authorities show that out of the 4,684 undertrial and convict prisoners released on interim bail last year, only 2,334 returned while 2,350 absconded.

The undertrial prisoners accounted for 3,500, of which only 1,250 inmates returned to jails while 2,250 absconded — 65 per cent, showed the data.

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Among the 1,184 convicts released on emergency parole, 1,084 returned and 100 absconded.

Moreover, at least 180 of these released inmates went back to committing crime and were re-arrested in cases of robbery, snatching and theft. The involvement of over 200 others, who are absconding, is suspected in several cases.

This came despite the fact that a high powered committee was set up, which in consultation with the State Legal Service Authority, decided that inmates charged with or convicted of offences with jail terms of up to seven years should be considered for parole.

In Delhi, it was decided that undertrials charged with a single crime whose punishment is of seven years or less and who have spent three months in jail, will be considered for interim bail to start with.

Each case considered for release was scrutinised by the high-powered panel and only inmates with a “clean record” — prisoners without any disciplinary complaints or poor remarks by jail superintendents — finally made it to the list.

“Despite these checks, over 150 inmates who were released on emergency parole went back to committing crimes like snatching, robbery, burglary and were re-arrested,” a senior Delhi Police officer said on condition of anonymity.

“We also have intel on many who have gone back to their gangs. Also, names of many who were let out on parole have emerged in investigations. Their role is suspected in cases. They, however, are absconding,” the officer said.

Delhi has three prisons — Tihar, Mandoli and Rohini — where over 19,500 prisoners are lodged against the capacity of 10,000.

In the past one month, there’s been a steep rise in the number of inmates and prison staff infected with Covid. On 14 April, 70 inmates and 11 prison staff were Covid positive. The number of positive cases went up to 535 Covid on 7 May. This included 176 prison staff.

After over 65 per cent undertrials jumped parole and absconded last year, the Delhi Police started efforts to trace them.

“We collected the list of inmates who did not return after their parole ended and are now absconding, from jail authorities. The list was shared with all district DCPs (deputy commissioners of police). Visits to homes of these undertrials and convicts were made, their friends and family contacted. Also, surveillance was mounted, help was sought from sources,” said a second senior police officer.

With the second wave and cases of infections rising, however, the focus shifted and the police got busy with Covid duties.

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