Apex Court seeks reply of Director-General, Prison and Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories by Mar. 20 regarding precautionary measures taken in Jails across India

New Delhi: A Two-Judge Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) S.A. Bobde and L.N. Rao issued a notice to the Director-General, Prison and Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories and has sought their reply by Mar. 20 regarding the precautionary measures taken for the prevention of COVID-19.

The Apex Court has also directed all States and Union Territories to delegate an officer on Mar. 23, who could assist it in the matter. The Bench also took suo moto cognisance of prevalent conditions in Remand Homes where juveniles in conflict with law are lodged.

It observed that some States have taken steps for the pandemic but there are some States which have not taken appropriate measures. The Court also cautioned that mass gathering is a big problem and it can become a centre for the spread of Coronavirus. The Court also said it will issue reasons on why it has taken suo moto cognisance of the matter.

“We need to formulate some guidelines and directions should be issued with respect to overcrowding of prisons in the wake of Coronavirus,” the Bench said.