HC tells govt to construct more jails across state

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over the ‘poor’ conditions of the prisons in Maharashtra. The HC has directed the government to construct additional prisons across the state and also renovate the existing jails.

The direction came from a division bench presided over by Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Amjad Sayed while hearing a bunch of petitions highlighting the ‘sorry state of affairs’ of the prisons in Maharashtra.

In its judgment, the bench said, “It is clear from reports of the judicial officers on inspection of Yervada, Byculla and Arthur Road jails that the number of prisoners is excess to the capacity of these jails. Both the jails in the city are hardly adequate to satisfy the need.”

“Though in ideal situation, more and more jails should not be required but we do not live in Ideal world. The rapid growth of population and other factors in the city have also resulted in rise in crime rates and the scenario is the same in Pune,” the judgment reads.

Amongst several other directions, the bench has directed the government to find governmentowned lands so that additional jails can be made in the city. The bench has asked the government to take appropriate steps within three months.

The bench has also asked the government to consider if additional construction can be done in existing prisons. The bench has also directed the government repair and renovate toilets in the existing jails within a period of six months.

The bench has now kept the matter for further hearing on July 31 and has asked the government to file a compliance report.