Overview

• The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and 18 states regarding a PIL filed by NALSA seeking bail for terminally ill and elderly prisoners above 70 years of age.
• NALSA's petition highlights overcrowded prison conditions, with occupancy rates at 131%, hindering adequate medical care and dignified living for these vulnerable inmates.
• The petition identifies 456 prisoners, including 13 terminally ill convicts and 84 elderly convicts, as eligible for potential release to ensure proper care and reintegration into society.
• Individual cases, such as a 93-year-old woman in Karnataka and a terminally ill undertrial bailed by the Calcutta High Court, underscore the urgency of the plea.
• The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 19, 2025, requiring state governments to submit their responses on the matter.