New Delhi, July 16 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all States and Union Territories to formulate and implement a comprehensive policy for the early or premature release of prisoners who are of advanced age or are terminally ill. The Court ordered that the policy be framed and notified within three months to ensure a uniform mechanism for considering such cases across the country.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued the directions by invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution while deciding a public interest litigation plea seeking a humane and uniform framework for the release of elderly and seriously ill prisoners.

"All States and Union Territories shall, within a period of th...