New Delhi, Oct 21 Expressing its deep concern for the inmates who are languishing in Tihar jail here, the Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the government to formulate new guidelines so that parole pleas of convicts can be heard early.

"Most of the parole pleas become invalid as the convict has already spent more time (in jail) than his offence demanded, which is not fair," observed a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar.

"Verification of parole applications should be done expeditiously so that justice can be given to everyone," said the bench while asking the government to formulate new guidelines within four weeks and slated the matter for Nov 25.

The court was hearing a plea of 28 Tihar jail inmates who had written a letter to the court complaining about the delay in hearing their parole pleas.

The letter led to a follow-up report from the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) which said it reflects the state of affairs of prisoners in the capital.

"Prisoners in Delhi are... cut off from society... Our morale is low," the Tihar inmates said in their letter written in Hindi and dated July 13.

"In other northern states, 90 percent prisoners get parole, whereas here only five to 10 percent are let off on parole - that too for a very little time," they added.

As per the law, a prisoner can get parole for various reasons - to visit a dying or sick family member, building a house or to repair a badly damaged home, among others.

The official process on a parole application starts with its verification by police and has to be finally cleared, in case of Delhi, by the lieutenant-governor.

"It is the only state where Governor's approval is required for granting parole... otherwise in all other states, it is the DIG prisons who issues such orders," said the bench.

The court also directed the government to educate inmates about their rights so that they can avail the benefit. (IANS)