SC declines to stay AP move to release 1500 convicts on Inde

The Supreme Court declined to stay the decision of Andhra Pradesh government to release around 1,500 convicts on the occasion of Independence Day.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan fixed August 24 for hearing of the PIL filed by an advocate alleging that Naxalites and hardened criminals, who enjoyed political patronage of politicians in power in the state, are being released from jails.

He also alleged that such release of large number of convicts will have an adverse effect on the law and order situation in Andhra Pradesh and the release of 1,500 convicts is in violation of the Supreme Court judgment.

Extraneous considerations cannot be the ground for release of such large number of prisoners, the petitioner added.