Judgment

BHAGWATI, J.:- This writ petition again comes up for hearing before us pursuant to the directions given by us on 26th February, 1979 and today three additional counter-affidavits have been filed on behalf of the respondents: one by Mrinmaya Choudhri, Assistant Inspector General of Prisons; the other by Bageshwari Prasad Pande, Superintendent of the Patna Central Jail and the third by Pradip Kumar Ganguly, Superintendent of the Muzaffarpur Central Jail. Mrinmaya Choudhir has in his affidavit given particulars of the under-trial prisoners in 48 jails in the State of Bihar in addition to the particulars of the under-trial prisoners in 17 jails already submitted on 26th February, 1979. We directed the State of Bihar by our order dated 26th February, 1979* to file a revised chart showing a yearwise breakup of the under-trial prisoners after making a division into two broad categories viz. minor offences and major offences but this direction has not yet been carried out by the State of Bihar. Mrinmaya Choudhri has, however, assured us in his affidavit that several steps regarding the different directions given by the court are being promptly implemented but due to shortage of tim