The Supreme Court on Tuesday has directed the Centre to respond to a plea demanding adequate facilities for disabled prisoners in jails and the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, across the country’s prison system.
Court’s Notice To The Centre
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued a notice to the Union of India and other concerned authorities based on a petition filed by activist Sathyan Naravoor.
“Issue notice, returnable within four weeks,” the bench stated.
Negligence Of Disabled Prisoners Highlighted
The petition underscores the neglect faced by disabled inmates, citing the cases of former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba and activist Stan Swamy. It urges the inclusion of specific provisions in the existing Prisons Act to address the special needs of disabled prisoners.
Professor G N Saibaba, who suffered from polio and was wheelchair-bound, passed away on October 12 last year in a state-run hospital in Hyderabad due to health complications. His death occurred seven months after his acquittal in a case linking him to Maoists, following a decade in prison.
Similarly, activist Stan Swamy, arrested in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon case, passed away in 2021 at Mumbai’s Holy Family Hospital after prolonged suffering in custody.
Infrastructural Gaps In Prisons
Despite the RPWD Act being in place for over eight years, the petition claims that most state prison manuals fail to include mandatory provisions such as ramps, accessible toilets, and other essential facilities.
“This ongoing failure severely impacts the basic mobility of disabled prisoners within prison premises, directly violating the statutory requirements of the Act,” the plea stated.
The petition further argues that due to inadequate infrastructure, disabled prisoners are often forced to depend on fellow inmates for assistance with daily activities, leading to a loss of dignity and autonomy.
Call For Urgent Reforms
The plea calls for urgent amendments to the Prisons Act, ensuring that jails comply with accessibility standards mandated by the RPWD Act. The Court’s intervention is expected to push for necessary reforms, improving living conditions for disabled prisoners across the country.
The centre is now required to respond within 4 weeks, shedding light on the government’s stance on this pressing issue.
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