In Brief
This is a Supreme Court order reviewing compliance with the landmark Satender Kumar Antil judgment (2022), which established critical protections for undertrial prisoners in arrest, bail and detention procedures. The Court found that States, High Courts, CBI and legal services authorities have shown only partial compliance with directions requiring adherence to Sections 41 and 41-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, identification and support of poor undertrial prisoners, constitution of special courts, and training of prosecutors and judges. Noting contradictions (such as bail being granted while claiming compliance with arrest safeguards), the Court issued detailed fresh directions requiring all stakeholders to submit updated affidavits within 8 weeks. An approved Standard Operating Procedure for financial support to indigent undertrial prisoners through District Committees was adopted. The matter will be reviewed in phases, with an Amicus monitoring compliance and recommending remedial measures.
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