Kottayam: The legal system provides financial assistance for prisoners who, despite being granted bail, are unable to pay the bail amount and continue to remain in jail. For trial prisoners, assistance of up to ₹40,000, and for convicts, assistance of up to ₹25,000, is available to help those who are financially disadvantaged to secure their release on bail. The district-level empowered committee under the Legal Services Authority is responsible for disbursing the aid.

The support for such prisoners became a point of controversy when businessman Boby Chemmanur, who had to go to jail over an alleged double-sided reference, expressed his backing for such inmates.

The committee members consist of the judge, collector, district police chief, and jail superintendent of the area under the jurisdiction of the prison. The district Legal Services Authority secretary serves as the convener. A list of prisoners who cannot pay the bail amount is compiled from the jail and submitted to the committee. The committee recommends the disbursement of funds to those eligible, and the government provides the money accordingly.

Only individuals from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category are eligible for this assistance. Individuals convicted in corruption cases, as well as those involved in NDPS, POCSO cases, and certain other categories, are not eligible for assistance. Regular offenders, those accused of crimes against women and children, and those charged under the UAPA are also excluded from this benefit.

Each prisoner can receive financial assistance only once. Inmates unable to afford bail can also directly apply to the court for a waiver, and the court will take action after considering the matter.