Women’s panel chairperson visits Central Jail, interacts with prisoners

Punjab State Women’s Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill today visited the Amritsar Jail and met women prisoners lodged there. She enquired about their problems on the occasion.

During inspection of health and legal aid services inside jail, she said, “The jail authorities are providing basic facilities to the women — like food, health services and legal aid. If women prisoners have any complaints in this regard, they can coordinate with the Women’s Commission now or in the future.”

Post inspection, she said, “Most women are lodged in cases under the NDPS Act (Drugs Act) and some under Section 420 or domestic violence. As the NDPS Act is quite strict, so it is difficult to get bail, but the jail authorities are providing legal aid to the needy women prisoners so that their cases can be heard quickly.”

She also observed that some prisoners had skin diseases, for which treatment was being provided by doctors. Gill was informed that gynaecologists come twice a week for check-up of pregnant women and if there was a case of delivery, the female prisoner was sent to an outside hospital. She said special arrangements had been made for the care of newborn babies.

Gill said she also got a chance to talk to foreign women prisoners, who were facing difficulty in contacting their embassy. “We have spoken to them and the jail authorities have been instructed to take necessary steps in this regard. Whatever legal process is due, will be completed in time,” she said.

Raj Lali Gill said the Punjab Government’s campaign against drugs was going on at a fast pace. She said the law was same for everyone — be it a local or a foreigner.

She said women were often trapped because of their husbands or family members, but legally action was taken only on the basis of the results of the investigation. Gill also gave her personal phone number to women prisoners, so that they could contact her directly.

Expressing concern over the condition of elderly women above 85 years of age, she said the police should also keep in mind the humanitarian aspect during the investigation.