Central jail to provide cable connections for prisoners to watch 2015 World Cup games

The Gauhati High Court on Wednesday directed authorities of the Central Jail to provide cable connections to TV sets in the 'common area for prisoners' for viewing the World Cup Cricket matches and other programmes.

Justice A K Goswami asked the state government to provide cable TV connections in the television sets in the common area of 'Guwahati Central Jail' for watching sports, news and other amusement channels especially the ongoing World Cup matches within five days from the date of order.

The HC single bench gave the order after hearing writ petition filed by seven persons, including former Chief Executive Member of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Mohet Hojai last week.

The lawyers appearing for the prisoners, argued that under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, 'no person shall be deprived of his life and personal liberty except by procedure established by law'.

Hence, a prisoner cannot be stripped of his 'fundamental or other legal rights', save those which are 'inconsistent with his incarceration', the counsel contended.

Therefore, the viewing of TV and watching various sports especially World Cup Cricket and news of the nation and other entertainment shows 'cannot be said to be out of the purview of Article 21 of the Constitution', they maintained.

The prisoners were represented by senior advocate Ashok Saraf and lawyers Amit Goyal, Arunabh Choudhary and Pritam Baruah.