Form committee to look after basic needs of jail inmates, HC tells state govt

Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday directed the state govt 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 investigation 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 HCs.The HC directed the state govt to file a compliance report by June 24, on which date the case will be heard again. The committee will comprise of a representative to be nominated by the executive chairman of the state legal services authority, 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 govt sought for an adjournment and said a draft committee to look after the facilities for inmates is being shortlisted. Not adhering to the govt’s plea, the HC observed that the SC has already decided as to who will be members of the committee and there is no requirement of the state to prepare a draft committee.The HC had passed the verdict in 2017 to ensure that prisoners lodged in country’s jails be entitled to their basic rights and needs. The Jharkhand HC, in the backdrop of the SC verdict, initiated the PIL on Jan 8, 2018, and has been monitoring the condition of inmates in jails across the state.The Apex Court expressed its concern with regards to medical facilities provided to inmates along with rehabilitation schemes, recreation and counselling of inmates.