Demand for IG inquiry into plaints over food in Amt jail

Nagpur: A PIL registered by the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court has demanded a probe by the inspector general (Prisons) into allegations of ill-treatment and poor quality food served to prisoners at Amravati Central Jail.
The PIL drafted by amicus curiae Firdos Mirza also prayed for directives to Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) commissioner to conduct inquiry into the allegations levelled by the convicts in their letters to the chief justice. A division bench of justices Vinay Joshi and Bharat Deshpande had taken suo motu cognizance of the letters.

“An independent report from the jail’s medical officer should be called in respect of the condition of the kitchen,” said Mirza.
“It is the responsibility of the government and IG to see that their subordinates are implementing provisions of law and directives of the constitutional codes in their true letter and spirit. As per the provisions of law, primarily the medical officer, jailer and the superintendent (SP) are responsible for ensuring the quality of food as per the Prisons Act. But in view of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the FDA commissioner and his subordinates are also equally responsible for ensuring the quality of food served there,” Mirza said.
The division bench issued notices to the respondents including state home department’s additional chief secretary asking them to file reply by June 6. The director general of police (prisons), deputy inspector general (DIG prisons) in East Vidarbha, Amravati jail superintendent and FDA commissioner are the other respondents.
Mirza said that clean, safe and potable water is a basic requirement and right of every human being, including prisoners. “This right is recognised by the state and it is mandated in Rule 13(1) of the Rules of 1970,” Mirza added.
Expressing concern over the plight of Amravati jail prisoners, the amicus apprehended that if the ‘Model Prison Manual, 2016’ and the Rules of 1970 are not complied with or implemented there, other jails in the state may have the same condition.
Quoting a complaint from a prisoner, the amicus curiae informed the court that CCTV cameras should have been installed inside the jail as directed by the Supreme Court in the case of DK Base versus Bengal government.
Full report on www.toi.in