The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to submit a detailed status report on appointments to vacant posts across prisons in the state.
A division bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the condition of inmates in state jails and the implementation of the Model Jail Manual.
The bench asked the government to furnish specific details regarding the recruitment process for various positions lying vacant in the prison department. The court emphasized the need to ensure that appointments against these vacancies are made without further delay.
The state government informed the court that the recruitment process for several categories of posts is currently underway. Requisitions have been sent to the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) for the appointment of assistant jailors, wardens, and medical nursing staff.
Government counsel told the court that the JSSC has already issued advertisements inviting applications from prospective candidates.
The Jharkhand High Court had taken suo motu cognizance in 2015 following directions from the Supreme Court, which had instructed all high courts to monitor jail conditions in their respective states.
During previous hearings, the court had noted that numerous posts—including assistant jailors, wardens, computer operators, and medical officers—were lying vacant, affecting the overall functioning and welfare of inmates. It had directed the government to fill these vacancies expeditiously.
The matter will be taken up again after the state submits the required status report.
