Amit Kumar vs State of Jharkhand and Others

In this public Interest Litigation, the petitioner, who was an inmate of Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi, has brought to the notice of this Court the present condition of the inmates. It is alleged that the Jail authorities are violating the human rights by not providing them with appropriate prescribed food, medicine, sanitation etc.

A counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondents, wherein, they have tried to deny the allegations, made in the writ petition.

However, we are of the view that the matter should be monitored by he District Judges of each district of the State. Accordingly, the following orders are being passed for the present:

(i) The Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi/District Judges of all the districts are directed to visit their respective jail, enquire into the condition of the inmates, particularly, the food, as is being supplied, and the medical treatment, as is being given to the inmates, and will submit the report to this Court by the next date. The last paragraph of the report should be the gist of the report to find out whether any action is required to be taken;

(ii) The Inspector General of Prisons, respective Jail authorities and the district administration of all the districts are directed to co-operate with the Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi/District Judge concerned;

(iii) The State authorities are directed to ensure that a complaint box is kept inside each of the Jail (Central Jail, District Jail, Sub-Jail) and the key of he lock should be kept with the respective Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi/District Jude of the concerned district. The Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi/District Judge concerned, in his turn, will open the complaint box in the first week of every month and will submit report to this Court, if so required; and

(iv) The Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi/District Judge of each district will also enquire as to how many under-trial prisoners are languishing in jail without trial since more than three years; the offences for which they are being tried and will submit report to this Court.

List this case under the same heading on 17th May, 2006 at 4.00 p.m.

Let a copy of this order be handed over to the learned Counsel for the parties and be also forwarded to the Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi and the District Judges of all the districts through FAX for compliance.