Tihar jail authorities face court heat for not following order

Tihar jail authorities are once again under scanner with a Delhi court issuing a bailable warrant against the jail superintendent of Central Jail 1 for failing to comply with the orders of the court to get an undertrial prisoner treated at a government hospital.

Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Pandey issued the warrant after he found that neither the Superintendent appeared in the court nor did he move any exemption. Instead, he submitted a report signed by the Deputy Superintendent of the jail.

The court had sought a report on the health of Surender Singh, who had moved an application for issuance of directions to the Superintendent for providing necessary treatment to him as he was suffering from mental problem and piles.

“Today, neither the jail superintendent has appeared nor any application for exemption is moved. Even the report has not been forwarded by the concerned Jail Superintendent. Issue bailable warrants against the Jail Superintendent no 1 in the sum of Rs 10,000 with one surety of like amount to be served through the Investigating Officer (IO) for December 11,” the court said.

On November 28, the court had called for a report after getting the accused checked up in a government hospital.

The court while calling for the report held, “UTP’s generally complain about not providing of proper medical treatment/food in the jail. The court has many times brought the facts of negligence in discharge of official duties to the notice of Worth DG (Prisons) but no noticeable improvement is seen.

“Jail Authorities are reminded that they are being public servant, are only caretaker/custodian of the UTP’s on behalf of judiciary. 

They are supposed to give proper medical care, treatment and food to the inmates. It is seen that despite directions, orders of the court for proper upkeep and providing medical facilities to the inmates are not been complied,” the court said.

However, no report was received on the next date of hearing, i.e, November 30 till 3 PM which irked the court. Directions were issued to the Superintendent to appear in person on the next date of hearing. The next date of hearing is December 12.

REPORT SOUGHT

• The court had sought a report on the health of Surender Singh, who had moved a plea for issuance of directions to the jail for providing him treatment