4 die of Covid-19 in Tihar, officials request emergency parole of prisoners

Amid the second COVID-19 wave, officials of the Tihar Jail in Delhi have written to the Delhi government requesting emergency parole for some prisoners.

Four prisioners died recently due to the coronavirus.

"We wrote the to the government a few days back. It is under the consideration of the government. In this second COVID-19 wave, four prisoners have died so far," an official said.

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction for the immediate release of all the under-trial and convicted prisoners on interim bail/parole in light of the pandemic.

The notice was issued for the release of prisoners with maximum imprisonment upto 7 years and fine (non-heinous crimes) to Tihar Jail, Mandoli Jail and Rohini Jail of Delhi.

The petition also sought direction for the interim release of prisoners having critical medical conditions.

The matter has been slated for hearing on May 4.