Chhattisgarh High Court Raises Alarm Over 33 Prisoner Deaths in One Year
The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a stern warning and expressed profound concern regarding a disturbing surge in inmate fatalities across the state's prison system. Official reports indicate a total of 33 prisoner deaths recorded within a single year, prompting urgent judicial intervention and parallel scrutiny from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance, Demands Personal Affidavit
Acting on suo motu cognizance based on media reports highlighting the rising death toll, a division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal has taken decisive action. The bench, hearing the matter on April 1, has directed the state's Director General (Prisons) to submit a personal affidavit addressing the grave allegations comprehensively.
Despite the state counsel, Additional Advocate General Praveen Das, contesting the accuracy of the reported figures, the court emphasized the serious nature of the claims. The bench noted that the allegations warranted a formal and detailed response from the highest prison authority, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to custodial accountability.
Breakdown of Fatalities and Critical Medical Concerns
The casualty figures reveal a distressing pattern across multiple correctional facilities:
- Bilaspur Central Jail recorded the highest number with 10 inmate deaths.
- Durg Central Jail followed closely with 8 fatalities.
- Ambikapur Central Jail reported 5 deaths.
Additional deaths were documented in other districts, including:
- Jagdalpur (2 deaths)
- Gariaband (2 deaths)
- Single fatalities in Dhamtari, Balrampur, Mungeli, Korba, Raigarh, and Kanker.
A critical aspect highlighted in the report is the medical response. Many of the deceased inmates were transferred to major healthcare institutions like the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur and Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur after falling ill. However, these interventions failed to prevent their deaths, raising serious questions about the timeliness and adequacy of medical care within the prison system.
Severe Delays in Post-Mortem Reports Exacerbate Crisis
The court voiced particular alarm over inordinate delays in obtaining post-mortem reports, which are crucial for determining the cause of death and ensuring transparency. Out of the 33 reported deaths, the jail department is still awaiting post-mortem results for a staggering 22 inmates.
In one egregious instance from Durg jail, a post-mortem report has been pending since February 27, 2025. While preliminary attributions for some deaths point to natural causes like heart or kidney failure, the court has noted that magisterial inquiries have been ordered in specific cases to ascertain the exact circumstances.
National Human Rights Commission Intensifies Scrutiny
Parallel to the High Court's proceedings, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has escalated its oversight. The Commission has formally demanded a detailed report from the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary and the Director General (Prisons) concerning all inmate deaths over the past two years.
The NHRC's intervention specifically focuses on the quality and availability of medical facilities provided to prisoners, linking potential systemic failures to the tragic outcomes. This dual scrutiny from both the judiciary and the national human rights body signifies mounting pressure on the state administration to address custodial welfare and safety protocols urgently.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has scheduled the next hearing in this critical matter for April 15, where the Director General's affidavit and the state's action plan are expected to be thoroughly examined.
