Why Are HP Prison Manual, 2021 Norms Not Being Complied With? Himachal Pradesh High Court Asks State Govt

This order came while hearing a Suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the welfare and conditions of prisoners.

During the proceedings of the matter a bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewa Dua reviewed a status report dated January 2, 2024, from the Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services. The report revealed a glaring shortfall in medical staff, with only four Medical Officers appointed for 14 jails housing 2808 prisoners, against a required minimum of nine.

“.. as per the H.P. Prison Manual, 2021, (para 4.10.1) there is a requirement of at least one Medical Officer for every 300 prisoners. Admittedly, there are 2808 prisoners in 14 jails functional in the State, but there are only 4 posts of Medical Officers in the jails, which are claimed to have been filled up, but the requirement as per Prison Manual referred to above, is there ought to be at least 9 Medical Officers”, the bench noted.

While seeking an explanation for this discrepancy the bench has also called for a status report detailing the reasons behind the non-operational status of Sub Jail Nalagarh (Kishanpura) and the progress on the recruitment of prison warders.

Furthermore, the court has also sought clarity on the timeline for completing the necessary works to make the Sub Jail Nalagarh fully functional.

The next hearing for this case is scheduled for July 24, 2024

Case Title: Court on its own motion vs. State of H.P. & Ors. A/w connected matters

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