All put together, at least 26 convicts lodged in jails across Maharashtra have refused to apply for emergency parole despite being eligible. Last month, the Bombay High Court ruled that no prisoner can be compelled to obtain release on temporary bail or emergency parole without their will. In another case, an undertrial released on emergency parole a few months ago surrendered in western Maharashtra last month. During the second wave last month, 68 convicts were released on emergency parole, which is not counted as part of the prison term. “Some of the convicts who have refused to apply for emergency parole have only a few months of their terms left.

Source: Indian Express May 31, 2021 22:41 UTC