B81- Prisons
Human rights activist Surendra Gadling and cultural activist Sagar Gorkhe, with the help of others arrested in the Elgar Parishad case have identified at least 300 such cases where incarcerated persons lodged at the Taloja central prison have not been produced before the court for years at end.
With the systematically conducted survey over the past many months, both Gadling and Gorkhe have moved the Bombay high court seeking direction to ensure regular court visits for those in judicial custody. Since both have been facing prolonged incarceration themselves, the petition was posted across to the high court’s registry late last month.
https://thewire.in/rights/many-prisoners-at-taloja-jail-not-produced-before-court-for-years-reveals-survey-by-jailed-activists The data collected by the activists reveal disturbing trends: many prisoners had not been produced in court even once in two to three years, and some had only been produced a handful of times in five years. These figures highlight the gravity of the situation, where the basic legal right to a timely trial is being routinely violated.
The majority of these incarcerated persons, the petitions point out, come from marginalised communities such as Dalits, Adivasis, and religious minorities. Many are migrants seeking employment, living in poverty, and serving as the primary breadwinners for their families.
by Sukanya Shantha
10/02/2024
Security Guards for Undertrial Prisoners Diverted to Coldplay Concert by Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner
Date: January 18, 2025
A notice was issued by the administration of Taloja Central Jail two days ago, stating that for four days—January 18, 19, 20, and 21—all guards will be deployed at the Coldplay concert being held in Mumbai. Consequently, no undertrial prisoners will be produced in court for their regular hearings, and sick prisoners will not be taken for their routine medical check-ups or treatment during this period.
In response to this, undertrial prisoner Advocate Surendra Gadling, on behalf of all the Elgar prisoners, has issued a notice through the Taloja Jail Superintendent to the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner. The notice clearly states that deploying security guards, who are reserved for the needs of the prisoners, to an entertainment event like the Coldplay concert is a violation of the fundamental rights and human rights of all prisoners.
The notice demands that the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner withdraw this decision to deploy prison guards at the concert by Sunday and ensure that security personnel are made available at the jail. If the notice is not withdrawn and the guards are not made available by Sunday, all Elgar prisoners will begin a hunger strike against this decision starting Monday.
https://thewire.in/caste/home-ministry-adheres-to-supreme-court-ruling-revises-prison-manual-rules-to-end-caste-based-discrimination he Union home ministry has revised the prison manual rules to check discrimination, classification and segregation of jail inmates on the basis of caste. he amendment comes in light of the October 3, 2024, judgement of the Supreme Court regarding caste-based discrimination of prisoners. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by Sukanya Shantha, journalist with The Wire, regarding the provisions in prison manuals in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala that legitimised caste inequalities.