HC instructs state to provide basic facilities in jail lock-ups

Mumbai, Jul 27 (UNI) Bombay High Court today instructed the Maharashtra government to provide basic facilities like water and bedding in the jail lock-ups across the state within one month.

A division bench comprising Justices R M Lodha and N H Patil were hearing the PIL filed by Advocate Rahul Thakur alleging that the jail inmates were kept in undignified and inhuman conditions in the police lock-ups.

The affidavit submitted by the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, indicated that there are 882 police stations in the state having 1056 lock-ups in 42 units. No electricity or fans are provided in the lock-up due to fear felt by the police that the inmates will attempt suicide or harm themselves out of frustration from their arrest.

At a number of places, it was observed that the toilet facility was not attached to the cell but were provided with the help of police personnel on duty there, submitted the DGP's reply.

The court was also told that the government had sanctioned Rs 43 crores for repairs of police stations for the current financial year.

The court also directed the DGP to take into consideration providing toilet facilities within the cells while undergoing renovation and construction process.

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