Originally published by myRepublica on 19/03/2020

Summary

Amid warnings from medical experts that overcrowded prisons could help spread of the coronavirus, the Nepalese government has decided to release on bail or without bail all prisoners who have already served half their time (except for those that committed “heinous crimes” or those that were sentenced to less than a year in jail. These steps will reduce the spread of the coronavirus by reducing congestion in prisons across the country.Additionally, a few government officials have written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to request the invocation of the presidential powers of pardon to commute the sentences of convicts who have already completed half of their jail term.