Delhi High Court Seeks Response Of DG Prisons On Measures To Maintain Discipline Among Inmates, Obviate Incidents Of Violence

The Delhi High Court has recently sought response of Director General of Prisons on measures and changes so that the functioning of prisons is made more conducive to maintaining discipline among inmates and obviate incidents of violence.

A division bench comprising of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Anup J. Bhambhani was dealing with a petition raising the issue of violence perpetrated on the inmates by jail authorities.

The Special Bench has been considering the issue as to what amounts to 'excessive force' for disciplining errant prisoners lodged in jails.

The petition filed by a prison inmate namely Sameer alleged that he was beaten by Jail officials inside Tihar jail and sought his transfer to some other prison complex, alleging victimization at the hands of such officials. The incident is alleged to have happened on October 28, 2020. 

On July 15, the Court had sought assistance of the Director General of Prisons, Delhi Mr. Sandeep Goel who apprised the Bench that he will be filing an affidavit giving suggestions on the issues raised.

"Let requisite affidavit be filed within a period of one week from today, after providing an advance copy to learned counsel appearing on behalf of the other parties," the Court ordered while listing the matter for hearing on August 26.

Earlier, the DGP had invited attention of the Bench to varied issues which were the bone of contention between the prison authorities and jail inmates leading to unsavory incidents and violence.

He had also told the Court that there were issues of violence noticed during interaction of jail authorities with inmates in respect to lodgement change of hardcore criminals or when confronted with recoveries of prohibited items in jail like tobacco, weapons, mobile phones and sometimes even drugs.

During the previous course of hearings, the Bench has expressed its shock over the matter and has sought response of the authorities on the action taken against responsible officers as well as other issues raised in the plea.

Case Title: SAMEER THROUGH HIS PAROKAR FAIZAN ANWAR v. THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

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