New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- The Delhi High Court has observed that the jail authority's actions had made a "mockery" of the legal system by keeping an undertrial behind bars despite a court order directing his release on parole.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the conduct of the jail authority had prevented implementation of the court's order and violated the petitioner's right to the rule of law and personal liberty under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The court further held that the conduct of the concerned jail official in imposing additional conditions beyond those specified by the High Court amounted to a wilful violation of its order and accordingly initiated contempt proceedings.

The observations came while hearing a ...