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The bench observed severe prison overcrowding, housing around 200 inmates against a capacity of 100. The court stressed the urgency of fulfilling the sanctioned staffing levels and filling all vacancies.
The Delhi High Court, recently, directed the government to fill vacancies of medical staff in Tihar Jail while remarking that “the jails in Delhi are working much beyond their capacity”. The bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made these observations in a suo moto case highlighting various issues affecting the prisons.
The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) submitted a notification, dated October 14, 2024, establishing a Board of Visitors for all jails in accordance with the Home Department’s guidelines. The court accepted the notification and placed it on record.
Advocate Ajay Verma, for the intervenor, highlighted the significant number of vacancies for medical, paramedical, and other personnel at Tihar Jail. He emphasized the urgent need for staffing to address the deficiencies in healthcare services for inmates.
In response, Additional Standing Counsel Anuj Aggarwal, representing the GNCTD, assured the court that efforts would be made to fill these vacancies promptly. He committed to expediting the hiring process for positions at both the Central Jail Hospital and Tihar Jail.
Case Title: Court On Its Own Motion v Ministry Of Home Affairs And Ors. (W.P.(C) 8580/2017)
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