The Supreme Court has directed Uttar Pradesh to launch a pilot project of the newly developed “E-Prisons Early Release Processing Module” at Central Jail, Agra and District Jail, Lucknow.
The project aims to automate and streamline the process of considering premature release and remission of prisoners.
A Bench of Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar issued the directions in Surendra @ Sunda v. State of Uttar Pradesh by order dated April 13, 2026.
The case originated from an appeal challenging the appellant’s conviction and life sentence under Sections 302, 149 and 148 of the Indian Penal Code.
How the Issue Reached the Supreme Court
The proceedings expanded beyond the conviction after authorities released Surendra @ Sunda on bail in March 2024.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mathura, granted bail by relying on directions issued by the Allahabad High Court in Ganesh v. State of U.P.
Those directions allowed release on bail when applications for premature release remained pending for more than six months.
The Supreme Court noted that the directions in Ganesh did not apply to the appellant’s case.
The Court also observed that the appellant had served only two years and five months in prison before his release.
As a result, the Bench sought an explanation for the release order.
Allahabad High Court Full Bench Decision
During the proceedings, the State informed the Court about a later Full Bench decision of the Allahabad High Court in Ambrish Kumar Verma v. State of Uttar Pradesh.
The Full Bench held that only the competent authority can exercise remission powers.
It also ruled that courts cannot issue general directions allowing Chief Judicial Magistrates to release convicts on bail while remission applications remain pending.
Data on Prisoners Released Under Earlier Directions
The State disclosed that 158 prisoners had secured release after their premature release applications remained pending for over six months.
Out of these, 10 prisoners later received early release under applicable policies.
Authorities issued arrest warrants against 56 prisoners. They re-arrested 25 and continued efforts to trace the remaining 31.
Officials also forwarded applications for the re-arrest of another 92 prisoners.
The State further informed the Court that 21 prisoners, including the appellant, had not completed the mandatory 14-year imprisonment period required under applicable policies.
Authorities re-arrested 16 of them and issued warrants against the remaining five.
Early Release Mechanisms in Uttar Pradesh
The State explained that five separate mechanisms govern early release in Uttar Pradesh.
These include release under the Uttar Pradesh Prisoners Release on Probation Act, release under Section 432 CrPC, release on grounds of infirmity or illness, premature release under Article 161 of the Constitution, and mercy petitions under Article 161.
The State clarified that each mechanism operates independently and follows separate eligibility requirements.
Supreme Court Finds Serious Delays
The Court examined data showing significant delays in processing premature release applications.
According to a State affidavit, 1,678 prisoners had completed more than 14 years of imprisonment without remission as of October 31, 2024.
Authorities had released only 93 of them.
Officials had not yet forwarded 915 cases to the competent authority. District Magistrates were handling 431 pending cases, while headquarters-level scrutiny delayed another 62 proposals.
The Court described the situation as a “shocking picture” of administrative delay.
Directions to Clear Pending Cases
The Supreme Court earlier directed the State to process all pending proposals within two months.
The Court also protected eligible prisoners from arrest during that period.
Later updates showed substantial progress.
By February 24, 2025, authorities had released 36 prisoners and rejected 81 applications.
They referred six cases to the Central Government and continued processing 13 others. One prisoner had died during the process.
Reliance on Earlier Supreme Court Rulings
The Bench relied on its earlier decision in Policy Strategy for Grant of Bail, In re.
The Court reiterated that governments must automatically consider eligible prisoners for premature release whenever a remission policy exists.
It stressed that authorities should begin the process before prisoners become eligible.
The Court also emphasised that prisoners should not have to submit separate applications to trigger consideration.
Development of the E-Prisons Module
On March 4, 2025, the Supreme Court directed Uttar Pradesh to create a software system for managing premature release cases.
The State worked with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to develop a dedicated module within the existing e-Prisons platform.
The Court later sought assistance from Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar as Amicus Curiae.
Representatives from NIC, the Uttar Pradesh Prisons Department, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s IT Wing participated in discussions on the project.
The Court recorded that NIC successfully developed the “E-Prisons Early Release Processing Module.”
Key Features of the New System
The new module automatically identifies eligible prisoners and starts the release process four months before eligibility.
It sends SMS and WhatsApp updates to prisoners or their guardians regarding application status.
The system eliminates physical file movement through digital uploads.
It also includes timelines, automated alerts, accountability measures, and monitoring dashboards.
Officials can use the platform to track delays and generate reports.
The Court noted that authorities could adapt the software for use across Uttar Pradesh and other States with suitable modifications.
Supreme Court’s Directions
The Court directed the State Government to deploy dedicated computer operators at prison, range, headquarters, and government levels.
It also ordered authorities to provide all necessary hardware and technical support.
NIC and the State Government must create a training team within three weeks and appoint a nodal officer to train stakeholders.
The Court directed authorities to complete operator appointments within four weeks and begin pilot implementation during the same period.
The Principal Secretary (Prisons) and Director General (Prisons) will supervise implementation.
The State Legal Services Authority must also create a coordination committee within four weeks.
Next Hearing
The Supreme Court directed its Registry to circulate the order to all States and Union Territories.
The Court stated that governments may develop similar software systems for automatic consideration of premature release cases under their respective policies.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 18, 2026, to review compliance and consider additional directions.
