DB directs DG Prisons to submit report regarding capacity of jails in J&K, number of prisoners

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on condition of Jails in J&K and Ladakh UTs, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, directed Director General of Prisons to submit a complete report within a month with full details of the capacity of each jail in the Union Territory, the number of prisoners and under-trials lodged therein along with existing conditions and proposals regarding construction of any new jail within the Union Territory.
When PIL came-up for hearing, ASGI, appearing for the Union Territory of Ladakh informed that the jail manual has been amended, published and uploaded on official website of Union Territory of Ladakh. He further submitted that jail manual of the Union Territory of Ladakh is now in parametria with the jail manual of Tihar Jail, rather much advanced. In view of the above, the stakeholders are required to go through aforesaid revised/amended jail manual and file objections, if any.
DB observed that regarding upgradation of jail manual of Union Territory of J&K, on the last occasion a statement was made that it has been revised and shall be placed before the Court on next date, but Asifa Padroo, AAG, appearing for Union Territory of J&K was unable to make any submission in this regard and sought some time for bringing on record amended/revised jail manual. Accordingly, DB granted two weeks’ time to do the needful, failing which, she will deposit exemplary cost of Rs 10,000 before the Registry.