New Delhi: Coming to the rescue of undertrials languishing in jails, the Supreme Court on Friday directed judicial officers to release all such prisoners who have spent half of the maximum sentence for the offences they are charged with.

The apex court said all lower judicial officers should visit jails within their jurisdiction once in a week for two months to find out the condition of undertrials.

According to the court, judicial officers must start visiting jails from October 1 and file a report after two months on prisoners released by them.

The SC further directed the Centre to place before it a road map for fast tracking the criminal justice delivery system.

While expressing concern over lack of budgetary support to the judiciary, the court asked the Centre to grant more funds to create infrastructure.

(zee)