Unnatural deaths in prisons: HC asks TS, AP to file counters

HYDERABAD: A division bench of the High Court on Friday directed both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments to file their counter affidavits with regard to the steps taken to deal with the incidents of unnatural deaths in prisons in both the states.The bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice M Ganga Rao was dealing with a suo motu PIL case with a view to identify the kin of prisoners who have admittedly died an unnatural death after 2012 and award suitable compensation to them. 

The High Court has registered the above case following a recent direction by the Supreme Court asking all the High Courts to register a suo motu PIL case to identify the kin of prisoners who have admittedly died an unnatural death as revealed by the NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) during the period between 2012 and 2015.

On prison reforms, the apex court directed all the state governments to appoint counsellors and support persons for counselling prisoners, particularly first time offenders, and to study the availability of medical assistance to the prisoners and take remedial steps wherever necessary. In this regard, the services of recognised NGOs can be taken and encouraged.

On Friday, the bench ordered issuance of  notices to the chief secretaries of both the states, principal secretary to home (prisons), DGPs and DG (prisons) of AP and TS and the director of NCRB, New Delhi for filing their replies within two weeks. Both the state governments have to tell the court about the steps taken by them to prevent unnatural deaths in prisons and regarding the payments of compensations to the kin of such prisoners