The Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case Court on its own motion v. State of Punjab and others observed and has asked the governments of both the states to explain how prison inmates are suffering from Hepatitis C in their respective States and how they are being treated.
The Division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta in the case observed and has stated while keeping in view the aforesaid news item, the States of Punjab and Haryana are directed for filing their respective affidavits wherein it explains as to how the prisoners suffering from Hepatitis C, in their respective States, are being treated.
The court observed that the development came in the suo moto case which is initiated over shortage of medical staff in jails. Thus, the Amicus Curiae Amitabh Tewari drew the attention of court to a news item published in the Hindustan Times, mentioning that during a survey of jail inmates in the State of Punjab, conducted from June 15 to July 19, 2023, 23% prisoners were suffering from Hepatitis C.
The court noted that as per the affidavit filed in April 2023 on behalf of Haryana government, many posts of Doctors and the Medical Officers in Jails in Haryana were laying vacant.
Further, the State of Haryana shall file a better affidavit wherein it will clarify as to what steps have been taken to fill up these posts.
The court in the case noted that the three-member committee has been constituted to review the situation of over-crowding of prisoners in the jails.
The court observed that it was also stated in the status report, that out of sanctioned strength of 42 Medical Officers for Central and District Jails in the State, 36 posts have been filled up and the remaining 06 posts are lying vacant at present.
The court while considering the facts and circumstances of the case stated that out of 48 sanctioned posts of Pharmacists in the Punjab Prisons Department, 35 posts have been filled up and the remaining 13 posts are lying vacant.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on January 25, 2024.