In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down parts of prison manuals from various states that fostered caste-based discrimination, including the segregation and assignment of work based on caste. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud led the bench that issued a comprehensive set of directions aimed at eradicating such discriminatory practices within the nation’s jails.
The court clarified that caste shall not serve as a basis for discrimination against marginalized classes in prisons, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment and distribution of work among all inmates. It categorically prohibited the assignment of hazardous tasks such as sewer and tank cleaning to prisoners based on their caste.
“Such practices are impermissible and against the principles of equality,” stated Chief Justice Chandrachud, mandating that police and prison authorities take earnest measures to eliminate caste-based discrimination.
The court also ordered the amendment of objectionable rules in state prison manuals within three months, signaling a significant shift toward more humane treatment of prisoners regardless of their caste background.
Highlighting specific instances, the plea before the court referenced the Kerala Prison Rules, which differentiated between habitual offenders like robbers or dacoits and other convicts, suggesting a caste-based approach in prisoner classification. Furthermore, it pointed to the West Bengal Jail Code, which designated roles such as cooking and sweeping to inmates based on caste.
