New Delhi, August 13, 2024: The Supreme Court of India issued a stern warning on Monday, cautioning officers in Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office of potential contempt proceedings. The warning comes after reports surfaced that certain officials refused to accept remission files of convicted prisoners, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as the reason, reports The Hindu.
Remission refers to the reduction or cancellation of a portion of a prisoner’s sentence, typically based on factors such as good conduct, rehabilitation efforts, health, and the time already served. Under Section 432 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), state governments have the authority to grant remission.
The Supreme Court’s directive demands that the Uttar Pradesh government provide the names of those officials who declined to process the remission requests. The court’s intervention underscores the legal obligations of state authorities to ensure that administrative processes, including those related to the rights of prisoners, are not obstructed by political considerations.
As the situation unfolds, the court’s warning serves as a reminder of the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law, especially in cases where bureaucratic actions may infringe upon the rights of individuals.
