Srinagar: Amid “dearth of space” in jails, the administration has declared three buildings as subsidiary jails in Jammu and Kashmir.

Documents accessed show that administration of the has declared three buildings including two in south Kashmir and one in north Kashmir as subsidiary jails.

On July 29, 2021, the Home department issued three separate notifications to declare an equal number of buildings as subsidiary jails under The Prisoners Act-1900.

According to the documents, the Home department has declared a building of Boys Pahari Hostel Kupwara as subsidiary jail. “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause(b) of section 2 of The Prisoners Act, 1900 and in suppression of Order No. 450 of 2021 dated 15.06.2021 issued under endorsement No. DS/Temporary Jail/2019/2184-89 by the DGP( Prisons), the government hereby declared the building of Boys Pahari Hostel adjacent to district jail complex, Kupwara as a subsidiary jail,” reads a notification.

Similarly, the Home department has also declared a building situated at Armed Police complex Kehribal Mattan Anantnag as a subsidiary jail.

The documents further reveal that a building within the premises of police station Kulgam has also been declared as a subsidiary jail.

Jails in Jammu and Kashmir especially Kashmir are “overcrowded”.

According to details, more than 4500 persons are lodged in jails of Jammu and Kashmir. Of them, 1400 are lodged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. KNO

KR Desk