PIL seeks clean drinking water, hygienic sanitary conditions in Tihar Jail, Delhi HC issues notice

A notice has been issued to Delhi Government by the Delhi High Court on a Public Interest Litigation for the resolution of the problem of the non-availability of clean drinking water in the Tihar Jail Complex.

The PIL also sought to ensure proper sanitary conditions in the jail in order to allow prisoners to carry out their daily ablutions and respond to the calls of nature in a hygienic and private manner. The bench of Justice Satish Chander Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad on Monday sought a response of concern authorities of the Delhi government in the matter and posted it for April 14, 2023.

The Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSA) filed the petition stating issues regarding lack of adequate and clean drinking water, proper sanitation and poor hygienic conditions in the Tihar Jail Complex were brought to the attention of the petitioner by a prison inmate and which resulted in the inspection of the premises of the said Jail by a Panel Counsel of the Petitioner on the instructions of the Petitioner (DHCLSA).

Depriving the inmates of Tihar Jail of basic amenities such as access to clean and adequate drinking water, sanitation, and overall hygienic environment and clean and private washrooms/toilets, is in outright violation of the Delhi Prison Rules as also the Model JailManual. Such deprivation is also in contravention of the accepted international rules and guidelines for prisoners, plea read.