“It is too much” says CJI on jail authorities insistence of authentic bail order copy; SC to develop electronic transmission system to ensure quick delivery

THE Supreme Court Friday said it is developing a secure electronic transmission system to communicate its orders to jail authorities so that a delay in the release of prisoners despite court orders is avoided.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said "it is too much" for the jail authorities to insist on the authentic copy of the order by speed post to free those convicts whose release had been ordered by the court. He added, "In this age of information and communication technology, we are still looking at the skies for the pigeons to communicate the orders".

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the copy of the order available on the Court's website should be treated as an authentic copy.

The bench which also had Justices L Nageswara Rao and AS Bopanna also issued notice to States/Union Territories for information on internet connectivity in their jails.

This development came after the Supreme Court granted bail to 13 convicts lodged in Agra jail on July 8 but were released 96 hours after the bail order.

The thirteen accused were held to be juveniles at the time of the commission of offence which prompted the top court to order their immediate release on interim bail. They had already spent 20 years in jail.

Click here to read the order