Mon Nov 25 06:13:51 UTC 2024: ## India Announces Bail for Undertrials After Reaching One-Third of Potential Sentence

**New Delhi** – India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has announced a new initiative to address the issue of overcrowded prisons, stemming from slow judicial processes. The initiative will grant bail to undertrial prisoners who have served one-third of their potential sentence for minor offenses. This follows a similar call last year by President Droupadi Murmu, who highlighted the problem of prison overcrowding and the high cost of justice, urging all branches of government to find a solution.

While the announcement is lauded as a significant step, concerns remain about its practical implementation and the root causes of the problem. Critics point to systemic issues within the police and prison systems, as well as the judicial system itself. A severe shortage of judges and the current, largely financial-based bail system are cited as significant obstacles. The editorial also raises concerns about the increasing number of politically motivated cases, which could complicate the application of this new policy.

The overcrowding is substantial; government figures indicate that at the start of 2024, 134,799 individuals were awaiting trial, with 11,448 having spent over five years in jail without conviction. The core question raised is whether meaningful reform can be achieved without fundamental changes to the criminal justice process, including a shift towards a system where bail is the norm rather than the exception. The long-term effectiveness of this initiative hinges on addressing these deeply rooted systemic issues.

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