New Delhi, February 19, 2025: The Supreme Court has granted two more weeks to states and Union Territories (UTs) to submit compliance reports on the removal of discriminatory provisions in their jail manuals, ensuring equal treatment for all prisoners regardless of caste, gender, or disability.
SC Pushes for Prison Reforms
A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala, while hearing a suo motu petition, emphasized the need to eradicate caste-based discrimination inside prisons. The petition stems from an October 2024 judgment, which directed the removal of discriminatory provisions from prison manuals across India.
Senior advocate S. Muralidhar, acting as amicus curiae, informed the court that several states and UTs have already filed compliance reports. However, responses from Telangana, Haryana, Punjab, Manipur, Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi were still pending.
Final Opportunity for States
During the hearing, representatives from Telangana, Haryana, Punjab, Manipur, and Assam claimed to have submitted their responses, though the court registry had no record of them. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh and Delhi failed to provide any updates.
Setting March 4 as the final deadline, the bench, also comprising Justice R Mahadevan, stated:
“Most states have filed compliance reports. If any state or UT has yet to submit a response, we grant a final opportunity.”
Background: Court’s Fight Against Jail Discrimination
The Supreme Court’s October 3 ruling ordered the Union and state governments to revise their prison manuals to eliminate caste-based discrimination. The case was filed by journalist Sukanya Shantha, who exposed caste biases in prison activities and labor distribution in various states.
The ruling found such practices unconstitutional, violating prisoners’ fundamental rights. The court directed the Centre to amend the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prison Consolidation of Services Act, 2013, within three months.
Ensuring Transparency in Prison Data
On November 7, 2024, the court clarified that its judgment would not interfere with the work of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which collects prisoner data under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
On Tuesday, the court issued a notice to NCRB, seeking confirmation on whether it was complying with the November 7 direction. Additionally, states were instructed to assist the NCRB in collecting data without reinforcing discriminatory practices.
With the March 4 deadline set, the Supreme Court remains firm on ensuring equal treatment of prisoners. The ruling marks a significant step towards a more just and inclusive prison system across India.
