Court mandates inspections and reforms to ensure basic human rights for prisoners, addressing long-standing issues of inadequate water and hygiene facilities.
In a significant move towards prison reform, the Rajasthan High Court has issued a comprehensive order to improve the living conditions of prisoners across the state. In the case of Peoples Watch Rajasthan v. State of Rajasthan, Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand emphasized the necessity of ensuring basic human rights for prisoners, focusing on adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, which have long been neglected due to administrative oversight and corruption.
The court's decision, delivered on January 15, 2026, responds to a writ petition highlighting the dire conditions faced by inmates, including insufficient drinking and washing water. Although the Rajasthan Prison Rules were updated in 2022, the practical implementation of these rules has been lacking, leading to continued hardships for prisoners.
Justice Dhand stressed the importance of treating prisoners with dignity, aligning with global standards such as the United Nations' Nelson Mandela Rules. He criticized the state's approach to prisoner welfare as insufficient and called for immediate reforms.
Key directives from the court include the establishment of a "Grievance Redressal Committee" to address prisoners' complaints, regular inspections by judicial authorities, and the display of notices in prisons informing inmates of their rights. The court also ordered that the state develop a policy to ensure adequate water supply and maintain personal hygiene for prisoners.
To enforce these directives, the court instructed Sessions Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates to conduct surprise inspections of jails within three weeks and submit detailed reports on the conditions observed. Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been impleaded in the case to ensure comprehensive oversight and reform implementation.
This judgment marks a critical step in addressing the systemic issues plaguing Rajasthan's prisons and underscores the judiciary's role in upholding human rights within the penal system.
Bottom Line:
Prisoners are entitled to basic human rights, including proper sanitation, adequate drinking and washing water, and personal hygiene, which must be ensured by the authorities.
Statutory provision(s): Rajasthan Prison Rules, 1951, Rajasthan Prison Rules, 2022, Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023
