Kolkata: The West Bengal Government is planning to set free undertrials aged 70 years and above in the light of a Supreme Court directive for speedy disposal of cases involving accused who were senior citizens.

''The Supreme Court has ordered speedy disposal of cases involving accused who are senior citizens. In the light of that judgement, we are looking at possibilities of setting free undertrials aged 70 years and above,'' Minister for Social Welfare and Jails Biswanath Chowdhury told newsmen.

Chowdhury said that his department had already prepared a database on undertrials aged 70 years and above, including their case history and other particulars. The database has been sent to the State Department of Law for opinion in the matter. ''We will abide by the Law Department decision.''

According to Chowdhury, 120 prisoners above 70 years and above, including some aged 80 and 90 years, are lodged in various jails in the State.

In reply to a question, Chowdhury said that subject to the Judicial Department's positive response, subsequent lists of such senior jail inmates would be submitted for action.

The minister said that departmental proceedings had been initiated against 50 jail staff on charges of corruption and 25 of them have been subjected to punitive action.

Besides punishing the jail staff, the Government has also for the first time decided to reward the staff for good work with medals and certificates, the minister said, adding that jail inmates have already been brought under the reward scheme.