How Are Prisoners Suffering From 'Hepatitis C' Treated In Jails? High Court Asks Punjab & Haryana Govts

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the governments of both the states to explain how prison inmates suffering from Hepatitis C in their respective States, are being treated.

The development came in the suo moto case initiated over shortage of Medical staff in jails. Amicus Curiae Amitabh Tewari drew the Court's attention to a news item published in the Hindustan Times, mentioning that during a survey of jail inmates in the State of Punjab, conducted from June 15 to July 19, 2023, 23% prisoners were suffering from Hepatitis C.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta said, "Keeping in view the aforesaid news item, the States of Punjab and Haryana are directed to file their respective affidavits explaining as to how the prisoners suffering from Hepatitis C, in their respective States, are being treated."

It also noted that as per the affidavit filed in April 2023 on behalf of Haryana government, many posts of Doctors and Medical Officers in Jails in Haryana were laying vacant. "The State of Haryana shall file a better affidavit clarifying as to what steps have been taken to fill up these posts," the bench said.

For Punjab, the Court noted that a three-member committee has been constituted to review the situation of over-crowding of prisoners in the jails. It was also stated in the status report, that out of sanctioned strength of 42 Medical Officers for Central and District Jails in the State, 36 posts have been filled up and the remaining 06 posts are lying vacant, it added.

It has been further stated that out of 48 sanctioned posts of Pharmacists in the Punjab Prisons Department, 35 posts have been filled up and the remaining 13 posts are lying vacant.

The matter is deferred to January 25, for further consideration.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. State of Punjab and others

Click here to read/download the order