Bombay High Court Orders Release of Man Jailed Despite Completing Sentence Due to Unpaid Fine

The Bombay High Court has ordered the immediate release of Sikandar Kale, who remained jailed after serving his sentence due to his inability to pay a fine. The court deemed further incarceration a 'travesty of justice' and highlighted the need for mercy in such circumstances, reducing the fine amount imposed.

The Bombay High Court has ordered the release of Sikandar Kale, a man who remained in jail despite completing his sentence due to his inability to pay a hefty fine. The court deemed his continued detention a 'travesty of justice'.

In a ruling delivered on June 27, with the judgment's copy made available on Friday, the division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande emphasized the necessity of releasing the man immediately to prevent 'abuse of the process of law'.

Kale was jailed since 2017 for charges including house trespassing, mischief, and theft across 14 criminal cases in Kolhapur. Although sentenced to two years, payable fines of Rs 2,65,000 rendered him subject to an additional nine years of incarceration, which the High Court found excessive and unjust.