Centre urges states, UTs to implement Sec 479 of BNSS for undertrial prisoners’ relief

Centre has asked states and Union Territories to implement the provisions of Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to provide relief to undertrial prisoners. This section provides relief to undertrial prisoners by reducing the number of people held in jail awaiting



trial. 

Union Home Ministry has written a letter to Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories in this regard. Under the new rule, first-time offenders can be released on bond after serving one-third of the maximum period of imprisonment.