The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the States of Punjab and Haryana to jointly prepare and file a comparative chart on eligibility criteria for remission and premature release of prisoners, after finding that different policies were being followed. “It is obvious that there are some minor differences so far as eligibility of prisoners entitled for remission is concerned,” the Bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu asserted.The matter was placed before the Bench following Supreme Court’s decision to take suo motu cognisance of issues relating to remission and premature release of prisoners. It had, by its order, directed all High Courts to monitor and supervise the implementation of the process as part of jail reforms.As the matter came up for resumed hearing, the Bench referred to the respondent-States before observing: “We have been asked to monitor. So, how will we monitor unless we come to know that what you are doing is correct, or in accordance with law?”During the hearing, the Bench noted that UT Chandigarh followed the Punjab policy, while Haryana followed a different statutory framework, leading to variations in eligibility and assessment.“It appears that the Union Territory, Chandigarh, follows the policy of the State of Punjab, while the State of Haryana follows a different policy,” the court recorded on its order.Seeking specifics, the Bench pressed the States to disclose the yardstick used to determine eligibility, by asking: “What is the eligibility of a prisoner for remission? Where is that yardstick given?”Punjab informed the court that it was following the Premature Release Policy dated December 14, 2017, while Haryana relied on the Haryana Prison Rules, 2022, framed under the provisions of the Prison’ Act.Before parting with the order, the Bench asserted: “It is, thus, directed that the State of Haryana and Punjab shall jointly prepare a comparative chart in respect of the eligibility prescribed under the respective executive instructions and the rules, and, thereafter, submit the same along with an affidavit to enable this Court to monitor and supervise the implementation of remission and premature release policies of the respective States.”Granting time for compliance, the court allowed three weeks to file the comparative chart and supporting affidavits. The suo motu proceedings are part of a broader judicial push, led by the apex court, to ensure uniform, timely and fair consideration of remission, and premature release, and to reduce overcrowding and systemic delays in prisons across the country.The Apex Court had earlier asserted: “We request the Hon’ble Chief Justices of the respective High Courts to register a suo motu writ petition and thereafter, a Division Bench shall be constituted to monitor and supervise the implementation of the remission and premature release policies of the respective States,” it said.