Languishing in Agra Jail for 2 decades despite proving juvenility, 13 inmates are now free birds

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim bail to thirteen prisoners who started their 14 to 22 year stretches in the Agra jail despite proving their juvenility at the time of offence.

A bench comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanian said, "It is not in dispute that 13 petitioners have been held by Juvenile Justice Board as juveniles. Let interim bail be granted to them by presenting personal bonds."

Additional Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, Garima Prashad informed the bench that Allahabad High Court had passed orders to identify the ones who had passed the age of juvenility.

Prashad said facts were needed to be verified even as she said interim bail might be granted to them.On July 1, the apex court had issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government in the matter.

The petition contended the “very unfortunate and sorry state of affairs” in Uttar Pradesh, where many prisoners continue to languish in jail despite proving their claim of juvenility.

It also said that these persons had spent years in “hardcore jails” among “hardcore criminals” and this negates the purpose and objects of the Juvenile Justice Act.(UNI)