Bombay High Court Orders Inspection Of Taloja Prison After Plea Claims Inmates Get Only 1.5 Buckets Water

One of the largest prisons in India, Taloja Central Prison has a capacity of 2,124 inmates.

Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse directed the DLSA to visit the prison tomorrow, June 17 at 10am and interact with inmates in the absence of prison officials, and further verify the quality of water supplied.

“The Secretary, DLSA, Raigad, to see whether the wells are in working condition; whether the water tanks from where water [is] supplied have been cleaned; and whether rain water harvesting can be available in Taloja Jail. The Secretary, DLSA, Raigad, to also interact with the inmates of Taloja Jail, and verify the supply of water, the quality of water made available to the inmates. None of the officers from the Jail will remain present during the interaction of the Secretary, DLSA, Raigad, with the inmates.”

The Court passed the order on a petition filed by Abhay Kurundkar, a former cop, and an accused in the murder of another police officer, with whom he was allegedly having an affair.

In his plea sent through prison, Kurundkar, represented by Advocate Sandesh Manikhedkar sought adequate water for the inmates of the jail. He sought for directions to be issued to local planning authority – CIDCO – as inmates are getting only 1½ bucket of water for the entire day, which he said was grossly inadequate.

APP PP Shinde submitted a report from the Home Department as well as the Superintendent of Prison. The reports acknowledged the water shortage stated that atleast 3 lakh litres of water was required to meet the demand.

While CIDCO increased the size of the pipeline from 80 MM to 100 MM, the water supply is still inadequate for inmates, the court noted.

The APP however claimed that there were two well within the prison compound and one of them was repaired recently. While there was no provision for rainwater harvesting the APP claimed each inmate was receiving over 10 litres of water each.

The claim was vehemently opposed by the petitioner. Accordingly, the court directed the DLSA to inspect prison premises to verify the water supply made available to the inmates of Taloja Jail and submit a report before the court by 22nd June, 2023.

“The authorities i.e. a responsible officer from CIDCO as well as the Deputy Secretary from the Home Department, to remain present during the said inspection. The concerned Collector from Raigad District, to also remain present during the said inspection,” the court said.