Journalism of Courage
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday gave four weeks time to the state government to file a status report on number of under-trials languishing in prisons.
The court has asked Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to file affidavits on statuses of the cases and trials pending against such individuals lodged in prisons.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed the orders on a petition taken up as a PIL in the light of the recent observations of Supreme Court on the conditions of under-trials, especially females.
While hearing a PIL, the apex court had directed all the state high courts to examine the issue touching the rights of the under-trial prisoners with focus on conditions of the women and children, besides enforcement of the rights of mentally challenged under-trials and convicts.
The bench expressing concern over apathy of the officials quoted the Supreme Court orders about examining the rights of people suffering from mental disability.
The high courts have also been asked to look into conditions of people though not involved in any crime and yet suffer harassment, neglect or deprivation at the hands of their families or are seen roaming about in public places without anyone taking responsibility for their care, protection or maintenance.
