Suo motu petition in High Court on overcrowded prisons

The Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court has filed a suo motu petition seeking action on the issue of overcrowding in prisons and
to fill up the pending vacancies of prison staff, following Supreme Court’s direction.

The apex court in its order dated May 8, 2018 had requested the chief justices of the high courts to take up the issue as through a suo motu petition .

The apex court had directed that this matter should be considered by the high courts with the assistance of the State Legal Services Authority or High Court Legal Services Committee as it involves violation of human rights.

The apex court also asked the high courts to direct the state government or prison authorities to recruit more prison staff and report the same.

The Registrar General has sought for directions to the respondents and to pass appropriate orders pursuant to the order passed by the Supreme Court.

The respondents include the state government, the Director General and Inspector General of Prisons, the Police Commissioner, the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority and Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee, Director, Department of Women and Child Development and Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare.