The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to finalise and notify the draft policy on remission and premature release in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions by the end of January 2026.
The policy is aimed at streamlining the process of granting remission and premature release to eligible prisoners, and a Sentence Remission Committee has already been constituted to oversee its implementation.
During the hearing, the Advocate General informed the court that the draft policy, prepared as per Supreme Court guidelines, is likely to be placed before the state Cabinet before the Christmas vacation and subsequently published in the Gazette by the end of January 2026.
Expressing concern over the delay, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice HS Thangkhiew stated that the long-pending policy must now be expedited to ensure effective implementation.
“We hope that the draft policy which has been pending for long is finalised by the government and notified at the earliest so that by the adjourned date, steps can be taken for proper implementation of the remission and premature release,” the bench observed in its order passed on Tuesday.
The court noted that the Chief Justice has already constituted a Sentence Remission Committee, which is currently seized of the matter. It directed the Advocate General to inform the Registrar General immediately after the policy is notified, enabling the committee to monitor its implementation.
The Advocate General also assured the court that all necessary assistance would be provided to the committee for the effective execution of the policy.
Additionally, the High Court directed the Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) to identify eligible cases and, if required, file appropriate applications before the competent bench once the policy comes into force.
The court also instructed Jail Superintendents across the state to ensure strict implementation of the policy by identifying prisoners eligible for remission and premature release in accordance with the approved guidelines.
“The Superintendents of Jail are directed to ensure that once the policy is approved, eligible prisoners are duly identified and appropriate steps are taken strictly in terms of the policy,” the order stated.
The matter has been listed for further review on January 30, 2026.