'Not Satisfied With Measures Taken By Punjab Govt To Strengthen Jail Security', P&H HC Summons Chief Secretary, Top Officials To Explain

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has summoned the Punjab's Chief Secretary,, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), and Additional Chief Secretary (Jails), to explain as to why the measures, which were suggested by the Senior Officers of the State Government to streamline the security in jails have not been put in place for over a year.

Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda while noting the lack of progress in the measures required to be taken to augment jail security said, "We...are not satisfied with the measures taken by the State Government for strengthening the jail security. Many affidavits have been filed on behalf of the State, but there has been a lack of progress in the areas enumerated..."

The Court was hearing a suo moto PIL wherein it has been monitoring the progress in augmenting the security of the jails for over a year. It said that a sufficient time had been granted to the Punjab Government to put in place the measures suggested by the Senior Officers of the State Government to augment the security of the jails.

During the hearing Amicus Curiae Tanu Bedi, informed the Court that while certain measures have been initiated by Punjab to augment the security of the jails in the State  but there has been no progress in several areas, although, affidavits had been filed by the Senior Officers setting out the necessity of these measures and their respective timelines.

The Court noted that in the affidavit filed on January 25, 2024  it was stated that 438 walkie-talkie sets would be required and they would be procured within 2-3 months. Several affidavits were filed later on, indicating that the work would be completed after receipt of funds. However, in the affidavit on January 16, 2025, it was stated that the tender was cancelled, the Court noted.

The bench observed that, "It is manifest that the walkie-talkie sets were required for proper patrolling of the vulnerable areas in the jails and without any justifiable reason, the process for procuring the walkie-talkie sets has been shelved for the reasons best known to the authorities."

It highlighted that similarly, several other measures including setting up of nylon mesh, iron mesh, obtaining motorcycles for proper patrolling, searchlights, floodlights and high mass poles etc. had been suggested in the affidavits filed by the Senior Officers on behalf of the Punjab Government.

"However, there has been no progress whatsoever toward these aspects although these measuers were suggested by the Senior Officers themselves as being essential to augment jail security." the Court added.

The matter is listed for April 24, for further consideration.

Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION VIS STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS

Present: Ms. Tanu Bedi, Advocate as Amicus Curiae and Ms. Simran, Advocate.

Mr. Arun Gosain, Senior Govt. Counsel for the respondent/UOI.

Mr. ADS Sukhija, Addl. A.G., Punjab and Mr. Aftab Singh Khara, Senior DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Anant Kataria, DAG, Haryana.

Mr. Munish Bansal, Public Prosecutor, UT, Chandigarh and Mr. Rajiv Vij, Additional Public Prosecutor for UT, Chandigarh.

Mr. Hitesh Verma, Advocate and Mr. Gourave Bhayyia Gilhotra, Advocate for the applicant in CM-85-CWPIL-2023.

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