The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday directed all District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) in the state to carry out surprise inspections in prisons to verify whether inmates are being served food that meets the standards laid down in the jail manual.
A division bench of Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Arun Kumar Rai issued the order while hearing a criminal appeal filed by Akash Kumar Roy. The judges stressed that the quality of food provided to prisoners must strictly follow the guidelines prescribed in the manual and that any deviation would invite accountability.
The bench made it clear that if any irregularities are found, the jailor of the concerned prison would be held responsible and subjected to departmental proceedings.
During the hearing, Birsa Munda Central Jail superintendent Sudarshan Murmu and jailer Laukush Kumar appeared before the court. They informed the judges that the quality of food had improved and that meals were now being provided in line with the manual.
The state government also told the court that a committee has been formed to run the jail canteen. The bench granted permission for the committee to function under the supervision of the jailor.
Calling for greater oversight, the court directed all DLSA chairpersons and secretaries to visit jails in their districts and submit detailed inspection reports. The matter will be taken up again on December 11.
