NEW DELHI: Criticising the apathy of states and Union Territories toward prisoners’ human rights in overcrowded jails, the Supreme Court warned directors general of prisons of contempt of court action if they failed to submit plans within two weeks to decongest jails, which were packed to 150% of their capacity, and in one case at 609%.
Referring to overcrowding of jails, for which the SC has been unsuccessfully asking states for a decongestion plan since May 6, 2016, a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said, "This is extremely unfortunate and clearly suggests complete lack of commitment of state governments and UTs to the human rights of prisoners and also indicates the failure of under-trial review committees to take their responsibility seriously."
The bench asked the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab, Delhi, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Bihar to respond to amicus curiae Gaurav Agrawal’s query relating to rights, including solitary confinement, legal representation and consultation with family members of prisoners who have been awarded death penalty.
Agrawal said a large number of jails were overcrowded well above 150% of their capacity and in one case, it was 609%. The bench recalled that it asked states and UTs on May 6, 2016, to prepare a plan of action to deal with overcrowding.
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