Ensure Prisoners Studying Social Work Undergo Training Within Jail For IGNOU's Undergraduate Course: Delhi High Court To DG (Prisons)

The Delhi High Court has asked the Director General (Prisons) of Tihar Jail to expeditiously start a practical training programme for the inmates who are pursuing Bachelor of Social Work through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

A division bench of Justice Mukta Gupta and Justice Anish Dayal requested the DG (Prisons) to see to it that an appropriate programme is devised so that the requirements of field work or practical training in the course being pursued by the inmates are met inside the jail itself.

The court has sought a report from the DG (Prisons) before November 28, the next date of hearing.

The order was passed in an appeal filed by Karan, a 24 year-old-man who has challenging his conviction and sentence in a 2017 murder case. 

In his appeal which is pending since 2020, Karan recently filed an application seeking interim suspension of sentence for a period of five weeks to undergo a mandatory practical training for the first semester of Bachelor of Social Work from IGNOU.

Karan was granted interim bail by the trial court as per the recommendations made by the High-Powered Committee in 2020. His sentence was also suspended by the High Court in July this year for a period of 35 days. However, his application for extension of suspension of sentence was dismissed. 

The court had earlier directed the Superintendent of Tihar Jail to coordinate with the Director, School of Social Work, IGNOU to devise a program so that the students can undergo the field work or practical training within the jail premises itself.

On November 9, the bench was told that the programme is to be devised with the help of Prison authorities/ Welfare Officer in consultation with Regional Officer Delhi-3 to complete the field work/ practical training. 

Title: Karan v. State

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