600 inmates to be released from Tihar Jail

NEW DELHI: Acting on a probe report that blamed overcrowding and lack of basic amenities for the recent spate of deaths in the Tihar jail, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the release of 600 inmates, who are accused of minor offences and languishing in jail, in a bid to decongest it.

"All 600 inmates in Tihar Central jail brought on account of being booked under section 107 (Security for keeping the peace) read with 151 (Arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offence) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) due to non-furnishing of surety would be released on furnishing personal bond of Rs 2,000," a Division Bench comprising Justices Pradeep Nandarajog and P K Bhasin said.

The court also said the prisoners, who will be released, would have to report to the local SHO twice a day.

The court passed the direction after going through the report of a three-member committee appointed by it, which pointed out that recent deaths in the jail happened due to overcrowding and lack of proper facilities.

Tihar Jail has seen eight deaths, including that of a prison official, in the last ten days.

The court also directed authorities to dispose of the cases against these prisoners within six months.

Apart from the high court committee, both Delhi Government and NHRC have launched probes into the deaths.

The High Court also sought response from the jail authorities, Delhi Police and the city government on the issues highlighted by the inquiry committee report.

The Committee, which consisted of Registrar (vigilance) of High Court R K Gauba, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Seema Maini, and advocate J P Singh, held overcrowding as the main reason for the recent deaths in the Central jail.

The report pointed out that the number of prisoners lodged in the jails of Tihar is more than twice its sanctioned strength of 6,250 and basic facilities like potable water and sanitation are not sufficient to cater to the needs of 13,712 inmates presently lodged.

Drawing attention of the court towards inadequate medical facilities, the inquiry report said, "There is an acute shortage of medical officers, there are only 21 doctors against a sanctioned strength of 60 in jail premises which has been existing for the last two years."

"There are no proper medical facilities available in the jail premises to cater to emergency cases or cases requiring specialised treatment and there is no proper equipment available in diagnostic centre," the report further said.

It also mentioned that out of six points from where potable water was being earlier supplied, two are getting water twice a day for less than half an hour.

However, the report came as a relief for the jail authorities as it did not find any irregularities like ill treatment by jail officials, cases of extortion, drug trafficking etc which was complained by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in her letter to the Court.