A total of 350 people, who were lodged in different detention centres across Assam, have been released on bail, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha on Monday, Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai said 350 detainees lodged in Assam’s different detention centres have been released on bail in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

“The Supreme Court of India has passed an order dated April 13, 2020, in a suo motu writ petition directing that the prisoners or detainees who have been under detention for two years shall be entitled to be released subject to fulfilment of stipulated conditions including the furnishing of a bond of Rs 5000 with two sureties of the like sum of Indian citizens,” Union minister Rai said.

This was informed by Rai while responding to a question raised by Rajya Sabha member Vaiko, who is the chief of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK).

Vaiko questioned whether the Supreme Court order for the release of foreigners from the detention centres in Assam due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic was complied with.

A media report quoted Rai as saying that 15 detainees have died in different detention centres of Assam due to illness during the last two years till September 16, 2020.

The detainees died while undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Assam, Rai informed the Rajya Sabha.