Srinagar: The J&K High Court has directed government to place the jail manual and its application in the state jails before it.
The division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar came down heavily on the state for not producing the jail manual despite repeated orders.
“We direct state through counsel B A Dar to place the jail manual by October 23 without fail, otherwise Commissioner Secretary Home Department should be personally present in the case if orders weren’t complied with,” the Division Bench directed.
The court was hearing a litigation pertaining to conditions of prisoners in the state jails filed by the J&K High Bar Association (JKHCBA).
The petition alleges overcrowding and bad conditions in state jails.
In February the court was informed by state that the Draft Jail Manual was before a committee for examination.
The court has earlier directed to obtain draft prison manual from Delhi Legal Service Authority and examine it for implementation in the state.
It had remarked that jail manual has to be implemented for issues related to prisons and prisoners to be dealt effectively.
In its judgement about inhuman conditions in jails the Supreme Court had remarked that “as per article 21 of the constitution every person requires a life of dignity but little appeared to have changed on the ground as far as prisoners are concerned.”
The apex court referred nine issues to state high courts regarding the maintenance of jail inmates- overcrowding in jails, delay in trial, torture and ill treatment, neglect of health and hygiene, sub-standard food, inadequate clothing, prison vices, no means of communication, streamlining of jail visits and management of open air prisons.

NUSRAT SIDIQ