Punjab and Haryana HC allows jail inmates to have sex with their partners

Chandigarh, Jan 7: In a landmark judgement, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday allowed jail inmates to have sex with their partners till they are married and want to have a child.

The HC, in an order, held that the right of convicts and jail inmates to have conjugal visits or artificial insemination for progeny was a fundamental right, says media reports.

According to media reports, Justice Surya Kant delivered the verdict while hearing on a petition filed by a couple, Jasvir Singh and Sonia, who are presently lodged in Patiala's Central Jail. Both of them were awarded death penalty by a trial court for kidnapping and killing a 16-year-old boy of Hoshiarpur for a hefty ransom.

In their petition, the couple had sought permission to stay together and resume their conjugal life for sake of progeny.

However, the court has declined their plea considering the heinous nature of the crime they have committed, but enlarged the scope of the petition in larger public interest, says a Times of India report.

The judge held that right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right of convicts and jail inmates to have conjugal visits or artificial insemination as an alternative.

The court has meanwhile ordered to set up a jail reforms committee to be headed by a retired HC judge. The committee will further look into the matter related to conjugal visits.

OneIndia News