Dehradun/Haldwani, May 12 -- The Uttarakhand high court on Monday directed the state government to submit details of its policy regarding the premature release of prisoners while hearing a matter related to the alleged failure to release inmates despite directions from the Supreme Court . Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the high court registered a public interest litigation (PIL). The matter was heard by a division bench comprising justices Ravindra Maithani and Siddhartha Sah. During the hearing, the state government informed the court that, in compliance with earlier orders, most prisoners eligible for release had already been freed. However, inmates convicted of heinous offences had not been granted premature release, added the state. Counsel appearing for some prisoners challenged the state's submission, arguing that their clients completed their sentences long ago but continued to remain in prison despite directions from both the Supreme Court and the high court. They contended that the continued detention amounted to defiance of court orders and alleged that repeated written representations submitted to prison authorities had not yielded any action. The petitioners also argued that the continued incarceration violated their constitutional rights. Separate petitions filed on behalf of several prisoners claim that they are still lodged in jail despite completing their sentences. In view of the submissions, the high court asked the state government to clarify its policy on premature release of prisoners. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for May 18. The Supreme Court had in August 2025 directed all state governments to verify whether any convict was continuing to remain in prison beyond the fixed term of sentence and to ensure their release without requiring any additional remission orders. htc...