The Union Government directed all States to Review Cases of Under-Trial

The Union government of India on 10 February 2013 directed all states to review the cases of under-trials lodged in jails for longer duration. The Home Ministry asked the States and Union Territories that an under-trial prisoner completing half of the maximum period of imprisonment should be released by the Court on his personal bond with or without sureties except for those involved in heinous crimes.

The Advisory issued by the Home Ministry stated that although the percentage of overcrowding in jails is decreasing slowly, even then 67 per cent of the inmates in various prisons are under-trials. The Ministry elaborated that except those who are charged with offences punishable with the death sentence, no person can be detained in prison as an under-trial for a period exceeding the maximum possible sentence.