In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed a Special Leave Petition challenging the High Powered Committee's decision on releasing undertrial and convicted prisoners on interim bail during the COVID-19 pandemic. The petitioner sought interference with criteria formulated by the Committee for prison decongestion. The Court held that judicial interference with a specialized committee's reasoned decision is unwarranted unless manifestly arbitrary, reposing confidence in the HPC's judgment. However, the Court noted that individual cases showing discrimination amongst similarly placed prisoners within the same category could be addressed separately.
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