New Delhi (NVI): Amid the coronavirus crisis, Supreme Court Chief Justice SA Bobde today wanted to know the status of prisons in terms of overcrowding and sought a response from states and UTs, besides the jail authorities, by March 20.
A concerned Justice Bobde said in case there is an outbreak of coronavirus in jail, it will affect a large number of people and could become centre for spreading to others.
He wondered whether this could be utilised as an opportunity to improve jail capacity and prevent overcrowding in prisons.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said attempts are being made in prisons like Delhi’s Tihar Jail to prevent overcrowding and that if any person is found with symptoms of coronavirus, he/she will be isolated.
The court then directed issuance of notices to all Chief Secretaries and heads of social welfare departments of states and UTs, besides Directors General of Prisons, to suggest measures to be adopted expeditiously in the interest of prisoners for their protection.
The replies should come in by March 20 and next date of hearing was fixed for March 23.
