SC Directs States to Ensure Fairness in Remission Policy, Approve Premature Release Without Applications

On February 18, 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued significant directions regarding the premature release of convicts under Section 432 of the CrPC and Section 473 of the BNSS. The court ruled that states and union territories must automatically consider all eligible convicts for premature release, even if the convicts or their representatives do not submit an application. The court emphasized that when a state or union territory has an established policy for granting remission, it is their duty to review the cases of all eligible convicts, ensuring that the process is fair and non-discriminatory.

Key Court Observations:

• The power under Section 432(1) must be exercised fairly and reasonably, ensuring that the process respects the convict's rights under the Constitution.
• States cannot require convicts to submit an application for remission if they are eligible for release. Eligible convicts must be considered automatically based on the established policy.
• States without a policy for remission are directed to come up with a comprehensive policy within two months. This policy can be either a standalone document or integrated into prison manuals.

Conditions for Remission:

• Reasonable Conditions: The conditions attached to the granting of remission should be clear, achievable, and reasonable.
  • These conditions must aim at rehabilitating the convict and ensuring that they do not reoffend.
  • The conditions should consider:
    • The nature of the crime committed.
    • The convict’s criminal background.
    • Public safety concerns.

Revocation of Remission:

• Breach of Terms: Remission can only be revoked if the convict breaches the terms and conditions on which remission was granted.
• Brief Reasons: When remission is revoked, brief reasons must be recorded, as revocation directly impacts the convict's right to liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • The convict must be provided a show cause notice stating the reasons for cancellation and given an opportunity to respond.

Recording of Reasons:

• Transparency: The Supreme Court directed that reasons must be recorded for both granting and denyingremission.
  • This ensures transparency and safeguards the convict’s right to fairness in the process.
  • Recording of reasons is essential for ensuring that the power to grant remission is exercised in a just and reasonable manner.

Directions Issued by the Supreme Court:

• Obligation for States with a Policy:
  • States that have an established remission policy must automatically consider eligible convicts for premature release, even if no application is filed by the convict or their representative.
• States Without a Policy:
  • States that do not currently have a policy for remission are directed to formulate one within two months.
• Conditions for Remission:
  • The conditions for granting remission should be reasonable, clear, and achievable, ensuring that the convict can comply without undue hardship.
  • The conditions should prioritize rehabilitation and consider factors like the convict's criminal history and the nature of the crime.
• Reasons for Granting or Rejecting Remission:
  • When granting or denying remission, the appropriate Government must record brief reasons for the decision.
  • The convict should be informed of their right to challenge the decision and be provided a copy of the order.
• Revocation of Remission:
  • The revocation of remission must only occur if the convict breaches the conditions.
  • In case of revocation, the appropriate Government must provide brief reasons for the cancellation.
  • A show cause notice must be issued, and the convict must be given an opportunity to respond before revocation is finalized.
• Monitoring by Legal Services Authorities:
  • District Legal Services Authorities must monitor the implementation of these directives.
  • These authorities must maintain a record of eligible convicts and ensure that their cases are considered for premature release as per the policy.
  • The State Legal Services Authorities must work towards creating a portal for tracking the eligibility of convicts for remission, ensuring real-time updates.

Case Title: IN RE POLICY STRATEGY FOR GRANT OF BAIL, SMW(Crl) No. 4/2021

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