NGO letter to court depicts ‘inhuman’ state of affairs in these prisons.
Even as the Maharashtra government struggles to tackle the problem of over-crowded district and central prisons, the Bombay high court has suo-motu questioned the pathetic condition of sub-jails in the state.
The chief justice of the high court has taken cognizance of a letter written by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative — an NGO working on rights of prisoners — and turned it into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The letter, which was sent by Maja Daruwala, director of the NGO, depicted the ‘inhuman’ state of sub-jails which were constructed by the Raj at the taluka level in order to avoid overcrowding in central and district prisons.
The letter pointed out that sub-jails are administered by the state Revenue department and not the Home department, which controls the central and district prisons. According to the letter, since sub-jails come under the Revenue department they are handled by the Mamlatdar instead of the Inspector General (IG), prison.
The letter also pointed out that these jails do not have basic facilities like proper toilets and canteen for prisoners. Also, there is shortage of staff, especially women guards. The court was told that the Revenue department staff is not trained to look after the administration of sub-jails and this extra duty is an burden for them.
Petitioner’s advocate Maharukh Adenwala pointed out that sub-jails should be handled by the Prison’s department which comes under the home department.
A division bench of justice Ranjana Desai and justice Vijaya Tahilramani had directed the officers responsible from Home and Revenue departments to be present in court. The IG (prison) was also asked to be present.
When the matter came up for hearing on July 15, IG (prison) Jagan Nath and divisional commissioner of prison (Nagpur range) Bipin Bihari remained present in court. Additional public prosecutor Poornima Kantharia informed the court that the government is taking the issue seriously and has already considered transferring responsibilities of sub-jails to the Prison’s department.
The court has now directed Bihari to take Gondia sub-jail as a project sample and submit a report about its condition within two weeks.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}