Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday directed the state government to constitute a three-member committee within 10 days for monitoring the condition and facilities provided to inmates in jails across Jharkhand.
A division bench of Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a public interest litigation initiated suo motu on directions of the Supreme Court (SC) to look after the condition of inmates in jails of different states, to be monitored by the respective High Courts.
The High Court directed the state government to file a compliance report by June 24, on which date the case will be heard again. The committee will comprise a representative nominated by the executive chairman of the state legal services authority, the secretary of the home, jail and disaster management department or his representative (not below the rank of an additional secretary), and a senior police officer of prison, not below the rank of a DIG, who will be nominated by the home department.
Pleading before the court, the government sought an adjournment and said a draft committee to look after the facilities for inmates is being shortlisted. Not adhering to the government's plea, the High Court observed that the Supreme Court has already decided who will be members of the committee and there is no requirement for the state to prepare a draft committee.
The Supreme Court had passed its verdict in 2017 to ensure that prisoners lodged in the country's jails are entitled to their basic rights and needs. The Jharkhand High Court, in the backdrop of the Supreme Court verdict, initiated the PIL on January 8, 2018, and has been monitoring the condition of inmates in jails across the state.
The Apex Court expressed its concern regarding medical facilities provided to inmates along with rehabilitation schemes, recreation, and counselling of inmates.
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About the Author
Chandrajit Mukherjee, a second-generation practicing Advocate in the Jharkhand High Court since 2005, has been reporting on legal beats for the print media since 2000. He has contributed and written news related to judgments and orders passed by the High Court as well as decisions taken by other judicial forums, including the legal services authority and Judicial Academy.
