The Supreme Court on Monday took suo moto cognisance of overcrowding and infrastructure of prisons across the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and LN Rao issued a notice to the Director General, Prison, and chief secretary of all states and union territories seeking their response by March 20 on steps taken for prevention of COVID-19.
The court also asked all states and union territories to depute an officer on March 23 who could assist the court in the matter.
The bench also took suo moto cognisance of conditions in remand homes where juveniles in conflict with law are lodged.
It observed that some states have taken steps for the pandemic but there are some states which have not taken appropriate measures.
The court also cautioned that mass gathering is a big problem and it can become a centre for the spread of coronavirus. The court also said it will issue reasons on why it has taken suo moto cognisance of the matter.