The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Delhi government, police, and jail authorities to formulate a clear strategy for implementing the Supreme Court's orders regarding open correctional institutions (OCIs) and to identify prisoners eligible for transfer to such facilities.
Court's Direction on Monitoring Committee
A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia took cognisance of a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter. The court instructed the Delhi government to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to comply with the Supreme Court's February 26 order. According to the apex court's directives, every state and Union territory must establish a monitoring committee headed by the executive chairman of the state legal services authority or a nominee to oversee the functioning of open correctional institutions.
Implementation Timeline
The bench stated, "Please apprise the home secretary that he should constitute the committee. The committee should meet, chalk out specific strategies to implement the Supreme Court’s order and assess the current position. Eligible prisoners have to be identified for transfer to open prisons. All this should be done." The court granted two months for compliance and scheduled the next hearing for July.
Additional Measures
The court also sought a status report from the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA). It impleaded the Centre, prison authorities, and the high court administration as parties to the PIL and appointed an amicus curiae to assist the court. The Supreme Court's February 26 order directed all states and Union territories to develop a time-bound protocol for filling vacancies in open correctional institutions and open barracks, aiming to strengthen the reformative and rehabilitative aspects of the prison system.
