Indian Council Of Legal Aid & ... vs Union Of India (Uoi) And Ors.
2002 Latest Caselaw 218 Del

JUDGMENT

Khan, J.

1. This is yet another petition filed way back in 1995 for providing basic amenities of life to Tihar Jail inmates in keeping with their human dignity.

2. Petitioner claims that conditions prevailing in Tihar jail were sub-human, jail wards were over-crowded and prisoners were huddled together, sanitary & hygienic conditions were appalling and prisoners were not being supplied their due diet. Under-trials were languishing for years on and teenaged young offenders in the age group of 16-23 years were confined with adults exposing them to chances of homosexuality and so on.

3. Respondent have admitted all this partly but have denied allegations regarding unhygienic conditions, young prisoners being lodged with adult ones or under-trials being confined beyond prescribed period of sentence. It is also submitted that adequate medical facilities were available and being provided. Study and vocational training centres were also available and new jails set up to accommodate more prisoners.

4. When this matter was taken up for consideration, it was claimed by learned counsel for respondents that times had changed and jail conditions had vastly improved in recent years and now jail management was mostly in the hands of inmates. Delhi Jail Bill of 1999 embodying many jail reforms was awaiting president's assent and would come in force shortly to take care of all complaints in this regard. At this stage, thus we deem it not necessary to exercise our extra-ordinary jurisdiction under the provisions of the Constitution.

5. In view of this, nothing survives in this petition and we find no scope to pass nay further directions in this regard. It would be appropriate to await enforcement of the new enactment and should petitioner have any further grievance thereafter, it could take suitable steps to seek redressal.