SC pulls up Centre for not taking steps to provide basic facilities to prisoners

Tribune news Service

New Delhi, November 22

The Supreme Court on Thursday took exception to the “parallel system” being run in jails and pulled up the Centre for not taking steps to provide basic facilities to prisoners.

A Bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur asked government officers to visit jails to get first-hand knowledge about pathetic condition of inmates.

“It’s like you go to jail, enjoy life and have a good life,” said the Bench, after citing media reports about inmates enjoying facilities such as TV, mobiles phones and mineral water in jails.

“Is it a parallel system running in jail?” asked Justice Lokur.

“You have converted whole thing into a joke. Please visit some of the jails and observation homes, and find out the condition in which people living there... tell your officers to get out of their office and see the condition. Taps don’t work, no sewage facilities...the condition is pathetic,” Justice Lokur told the government.