Bambiha Group 'Gangsters' Allege Deprivation Of Basic Necessities In Jail: Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks ADG's Reply

Alleged gangsters Sukhpreet Buddha and Amit Dagar of Bambiha Group have moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging that they are being tortured and are being kept in complete isolation thereby violating their fundamental rights.

The bench of Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan has issued notices to the state of Punjab and the CBI and has asked the ADGP (Prisons), Punjab to file an affidavit with regard to compliance with the directions given in the High Court's judgment of Viresh Shandilya vs. Union of India, 2004 SC Online P&H 1054.

In Viresh Shandilya's case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had held that the "under-trials", as well as the "prisoners" lodged in the Jail, too, have a right to information and the television can play a crucial role in that regard and to bring them in the mainstream of the civilized society, it will be too hard and anti-thesis of international conventions if a complete ban on viewing of TV is imposed.

In their plea, the alleged gangsters have claimed that the state government wants to kill them by depriving them of the basic necessities which are required of a human being. They have alleged that the only reason for depriving the basic amenities is that the police of the State of Punjab want the petitioners to be mentally de-razed and die their own death and the state is not blamed for their death.

"That the petitioners are being kept in high security ward and are not allowed to come out of said cell throughout the day except for three hours and they are not allowed to even interact with other inmates. That the petitioners are not provided with the newspapers, magazine and other books as provided under the rules for the prisoners. That they are not allowed to even view television inspite of the fact that other inmates are allowed to do so. In fact they are being kept in complete isolation which is violative of the various judgments passed by this court and Hon'ble Supreme Court of India," their plea alleges.

It may be noted that Sukhpreet Buddha was extradited from Armenia when he was arrested by Interpol. On the other hand, Amit Dagar's name had appeared in the murder of International Kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal Ambian. 

Appearance: Mr. Bipan Ghai, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Paras Talwar, Advocate, Mr. Tushan Rawal, Advocate, Mr. Deepanshu Mehta, Advocate, Mr. Prabhdeep Singh Bindra and Mr. Rishabh Singla, Advocate for the petitioners

Case Title: Sukhpreet Singh Dhaliwal @ Budha & Anr. Vs. State of Punjab & Ors.

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