Inmates getting pregnant, 196 babies born in Bengal jails; Calcutta High Court raises concern

New Delhi, February 8

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Shocked to know that women inmates were getting pregnant in prisons in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday decided to send the matter to a Division Bench hearing criminal matters.

“In order to have an effective adjudication of all these matters, we deem it appropriate that the matter should be placed before the honourable Division Bench having a criminal roster determination,” a Division Bench said.

The order came after amicus curiae informed the court that 196 babies were born in different jails in West Bengal.

“It is interesting to note that women prisoners, while in custody, are getting pregnant. Subsequently babies are born in prisons. At present, 196 babies are staying in different prisons of West Bengal,” the amicus curiae of all prison homes in West Bengal submitted. The amicus curiae suggested a ban on the entry of male employees of correctional homes into the enclosure of women’s presence.