July 15, 2018:
Supreme Court took note of lack of facilities in the Jails, leading to delayed trials and prolonged incarceration of under-trial prisoners, in India and sought assistance of Attorney General in issuing directions to deal with the situation.
Apex Court Bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra, on its own, initiated judicial proceedings after taking note of reports on the deficiencies at Faridabad Jail in Haryana and expanded scope of case to the entire country.
Placing reliance on a report of District and Sessions judge of Faridabad,SC Bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud, stated that there were several infrastructural and operational deficiencies like lack of video conferencing and transportation facilities in prison.
"A report has been submitted by the District and Sessions judge of Faridabad and the judge has mentioned various causes for delayed trials and long incarceration of under trial prisoners in jail," it added.
"Having perused the report, we are of the view that such a situation cannot be confined to the jail at Faridabad," SC Bench stated, adding lack of facilities have been posing impediments in speedy trial.
Apex Court then asked Attorney General K K Venugopal to assist the court in the matter and stated that making all States and Union Territories (UTs) parties to the case would cause delay in passing the directions.
Supreme Court appointed Advocate Gaurav Aggarwal as an Amicus Curiae, and asked him to help Attorney General deal with the case.
Source PTI
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