Committee to review cases of undertrials booked in naxal activities

• The new Government announced to set up a committee under a retired Supreme Court judge to review cases of undertrials, especially the tribals, who are in jail in naxal activities.
• Many tribals are in jail for a long time facing charges under Chhattisgarh Public Security Act.
• Congress in opposition has voiced the issue of booking tribals on the false charges of involving in naxal activities.  
• Buch Committee:
  • In May 2012, the BJP government had set up the committee, headed by former Madhya Pradesh chief secretary Nirmala Buch, following an agreement reached with Maoists for the release of the then Sukma district collector Alex Paul Menon, who was abducted by the rebels.
  • The purpose of the committee is to review cases of under-trials, who are in jail for two years or more.
  • The committee recommended, Interalia, approval of bail plea of prisoners in 36 cases including clean chit to some cases.

Further Reading