Supreme Court

SC To Deliver Verdict On Plea Against ‘Caste-Based Discrimination’ In Jails On Oct 3

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on Thursday regarding a plea that alleges caste-based discrimination in the prison manuals of several Indian states.

According to the cause list for October 3 on the apex court’s website, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will announce the judgment.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and 11 states, including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, after hearing submissions from the petitioner’s counsel.

The plea claims that the jail manuals in these states discriminate in work allocation within prisons, often determining inmates’ placements based on caste.

The petition references the Kerala Prison Rules, which distinguish between habitual and re-convicted offenders, suggesting that habitual criminals like robbers and thieves should be classified separately. It also notes that the West Bengal Jail Code assigns prison work based on caste, stipulating that cooking is reserved for dominant castes while sweeping duties fall to specific lower castes.

Previously, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and other parties, asking Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to assist with the issues raised by the petitioner, Sukanya Shantha, a resident of Kalyan in Maharashtra.

The bench acknowledged the petitioner’s argument that, despite amendments aligning state manuals with model guidelines from the Union Home Ministry, caste discrimination remains prevalent in state prisons.

The plea states, “This petition is filed in public interest under Article 32 of the Constitution of India to highlight the ongoing enforcement of rules and practices in various state prison manuals that are rooted in caste-based discrimination.”

It seeks appropriate directions to align such manuals and practices with constitutional principles.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International

Meera Verma

Recent Posts

Supreme Court Says “Marriage Is Relationship Built On Mutual Trust, Companionship”

The Supreme Court has upheld a decision by the Madras High Court granting a divorce…

2 days ago

Delhi HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Lawyer In Brother’s Criminal Case

The Delhi High Court has granted transit anticipatory bail to a lawyer whose brother is…

2 days ago

Justice Madan B Lokur Appointed As Chairperson of UN Internal Justice Council

Former Supreme Court Justice Madan B Lokur has been recently named the chairperson of the…

2 days ago

Karnataka High Court Directs NLSIU To Implement 0.5% Reservation For Transgender Persons

The Karnataka High Court has recently directed the National Law School of India University (NLSIU)…

2 days ago

Allahabad HC Directs UP Vigilance To Investigate Himalayan Cooperative Housing Land Issue

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Department to investigate the Himalayan…

2 days ago

Allahabad HC Grants Stay On Mohammed Zubair’s Arrest In Religious Enmity Case

The Allahabad High Court on Friday issued an order staying the arrest of Mohammed Zubair,…

2 days ago