Text of the D.O. Letter dated 15.10.2015 addressed by Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is reproduced below:
“I am given to understand that 516 persons from Tamil Nadu who were arrested for alleged forest related offences are still undergoing incarceration in different prisons in Andhra Pradesh as on 13.8.2015. Of the 516 persons, 107 are in Cuddapah District, 109 persons in Chittoor District and 300 persons in Tirupathi Urban Police District.
Most of these persons are poor illiterate tribals and labourers hired by contractors. Many of the 516 persons, although accused of offences under non-bailable sections of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act 1969 and the Indian Penal Code, are legally eligible for bail as the charge sheets have not been laid within the statutory 90 day period. Unfortunately, they are still in jail and unable to move their bail application due to penury and lack of appropriate legal assistance. I request you to kindly arrange for appropriate legal assistance for these poor labourers through the State Legal Services Authority and also to facilitate the process of their release on bail, wherever they are eligible under the law.
“I am given to understand that 516 persons from Tamil Nadu who were arrested for alleged forest related offences are still undergoing incarceration in different prisons in Andhra Pradesh as on 13.8.2015. Of the 516 persons, 107 are in Cuddapah District, 109 persons in Chittoor District and 300 persons in Tirupathi Urban Police District.
Most of these persons are poor illiterate tribals and labourers hired by contractors. Many of the 516 persons, although accused of offences under non-bailable sections of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act 1969 and the Indian Penal Code, are legally eligible for bail as the charge sheets have not been laid within the statutory 90 day period. Unfortunately, they are still in jail and unable to move their bail application due to penury and lack of appropriate legal assistance. I request you to kindly arrange for appropriate legal assistance for these poor labourers through the State Legal Services Authority and also to facilitate the process of their release on bail, wherever they are eligible under the law.
