Jharkhand HC orders panel for jail inmates’ basic needs
The Jharkhand High Court on Friday directed the state government to constitute a three-member committee within 10 days for monitoring facilities provided to inmates in jails. A division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a PIL initiated suo motu on directions of the Supreme Court to look after the condition of inmates in jails of different states, to be monitored by the respective high courts. The court directed the Jharkhand government to file a compliance report by June 24, when the case will be heard again. The committee will comprise a representative to be nominated by the executive chairman of the State Legal Services Authority, the home secretary or his representative not below the rank of an additional secretary, and a senior police officer of prisons, not below the rank of a DIG, to be nominated by the home department. The state government sought adjournment of the hearing and said that a draft committee to look after the facilities for inmates is being shortlisted.
The high court did not adhere to the plea, observing that when the Supreme Court has already decided as to who will be members of the committee, there is no requirement to prepare a draft panel.
The Supreme Court had passed the verdict in 2017 to ensure that prisoners lodged in jails across the country are entitled to basic rights and needs.
The Jharkhand High Court had initiated the PIL on January 8, 2018, and has been monitoring the condition of inmates in jails in the state.
The apex court had expressed concern with regards to medical facilities provided to inmates along with rehabilitation schemes, recreation and counselling.
