Children of undertrial mothers deserve normal treatment: SC

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) The Supreme Court today laid down guidelines for all the jails in the country, saying the children of undertrial woman prisoners cannot be treated as undertrials and noramal treatment should be rendered to them.

A Bench, comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Mr Justice C K Thakker and P K Balasubramanyan, while disposing of a bunch of petitions ruled that pregnant women prisoners must be provided with nutritous diet, proper drinking water and medical facilities during their term in jail.

The Apex Court also directed that the courts will decide the cases of such women prisoners on priority basis.

The Court also directed the states to amend their jail manuals within three months to incorporate all the new guidelines.

The states and the Centre shall file compliance report in this court within four months.

The Court also stated that the states shall make necessary efforts to provide education to the children of undertrial mothers as also all the facilities needed for their proper upbringing.

The jail records shall take into account the original address of those children and the prison should not be mentioned as their address.

The Supreme court also directed that legal service authority shall monitor the implementation of the stated guidelines.

UNI AKS/SC KD SP1355