Thousands of prisoners to be released over coronavirus to decongest jails

Thousands of prisoners in overcrowded jails across the country are being released on interim bail or parole in an unprecedented step to prevent the spread of coronavirus and also to avoid any clashes, as authorities scramble to stop the pandemic in its tracks.

In Delhi's Tihar prison that is bursting at the seams, 1,500 inmates are likely to be released soon in the second batch, officials said on Monday.

Over 400 inmates from the planned number of 3,000 have already come out in the first phase to decongest the Asia's largest jail complex, they said.

According to data provided by