Furnish info on medical facilities in prisons, State government told

The court has also appointed senior counsel R Vaigai as Amicus Curiae to study the available facilities and suggest ways to improve them. The appointment of amicus by the division bench comprising Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad followed the report submitted by the Deputy Secretary of the Home, Prohibition and Excise department. It stated that out of the 157 deaths, 134 cases have been submitted by the Judicial Magistrates, while reports for the remaining 23 cases are yet to be submitted.

Out of the 134 cases, 109 prisoners had died of illness and old age, while two due to the injuries sustained in accident fall. 22 prisoners had committed suicide and one prisoner was murdered outside the prison when he was on leave, the report said.

However, the bench noted that the status report does not indicate whether the deaths attributed to illness and old age took place within the prisons or otherwise. “The report does not also indicate medical facilities available in the prisons. The number of persons who died due to suicide appears to be more. Though Additional Government Pleader E Manoharan submitted that counselling is being given to the prisoners, the report does not disclose such details,” the bench said.

Also, pointing out that the Judicial magistrate report is awaited in the remaining 23 cases, the bench directed the State to file a detailed affidavit setting out the above along with supporting documents. The bench posted the case for further hearing to October 8.