THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Nov 26: The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday directed all District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across the state to conduct surprise inspections in jails and submit detailed reports on the quality of food being served to inmates. The court said inspections must be carried out frequently to ensure strict adherence to the Jail Manual.
The bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai passed the order while hearing an appeal filed by Akash Kumar Roy @ Akash Roy @ Monu.
Directions to inspect all jails in Jharkhand
During the hearing, the court was informed that an affidavit had been filed by the Home Department and IG Prison after calling for reports from all jails regarding food quality. According to the state, food quality has improved and meals are now being supplied as per the Jail Manual.
To verify this, the court ordered the Chairman and Secretary of DLSA, Ranchi to conduct a surprise inspection on a non-working day. The same direction was extended to all DLSAs across Jharkhand, who must submit their reports within two weeks.
The court observed that such inspections by DLSA or JHALSA must be carried out regularly.
Permission to run jail canteen; Jailor will be held accountable
The Jail Superintendent and Jailor of Birsa Munda Central Jail, Sudarshan Murmu and Laukush Kumar, appeared in court as directed earlier.
The register related to the selection of the committee running the jail canteen was produced, and the Jailor submitted that food is now being supplied according to the manual.
With the committee—comprising a majority of inmates—already formed, the court granted permission to operate the canteen. The court made it clear that the Jailor will be held responsible for any irregularity, and departmental proceedings will be initiated if violations are found during inspections.
Status sought on suspended Jailor
The Jailor informed the court that he joined on November 11, 2025, and that his predecessor, Dewnath Ram, is under suspension in contemplation of a departmental proceeding.
The court directed the state to apprise it of the status of the departmental proceeding and also file an update on the conspiracy aspect mentioned earlier.
The case will be heard next on December 11, 2025.
The court also directed that this order be communicated to the Member Secretary of JHALSA for onward transmission to all DLSAs.
Background of the Case
The matter arises from an appeal filed by Akash Kumar Roy, during which complaints surfaced about poor food quality and irregularities in the operation of the canteen inside Birsa Munda Central Jail.
Earlier, the court had directed senior prison authorities to file affidavits after collecting food quality reports from all jails.
The latest order expands the scrutiny by involving the DLSA and JHALSA to ensure independent monitoring and compliance with the Jail Manual.
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