SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 6: A high-level team, consisting of senior officials from the judicial and district administration, conducted an inspection of the Dhanbad jail today.
The inspection was ordered by the Supreme Court to investigate claims of caste discrimination among prisoners. The team was led by Principal District and Session Judge Virendra Kumar Tiwari.
Concerns Raised Over Caste-Based Discrimination in Jails
Judge Tiwari explained that social organizations and reports had raised concerns about caste-based discrimination in jails, claiming that prisoners were being segregated into separate barracks based on their caste and creed to prevent disputes and communal tensions.
On October 31, 2024, the Supreme Court took cognizance of these reports and issued an order to verify whether such practices were being followed.
Findings and Assurance of Equality in Dhanbad Jail
“On October 31st, 2024, the Supreme Court took cognizance of the matter and issued an order to verify whether prisoners are being housed in separate barracks based on their caste and creed. In response to this directive, a high-level team from the judicial and district administration conducted an inspection of Dhanbad jail and found no evidence of discrimination against any prisoner,” said Principal District and Session Judge Virendra Kumar Tiwari.
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Following the inspection, Judge Tiwari confirmed that the high-level team found no evidence of caste-based discrimination in the Dhanbad jail. He emphasized that jails should serve as centres of reform and rehabilitation, not hubs of inequality or caste-based discrimination.
He added, “Strict action is necessary for checking this so that principles of Indian constitution could be implemented.”
He reiterated that it is the responsibility of the jail administration to ensure security, rehabilitation, and equality among prisoners while safeguarding their human rights.
Jail Administration Clarifies Prisoner Accommodation Policy
Binod Kumar, the ADM cum jail superintendent, clarified that prisoners are assigned to barracks based on the nature of their crimes, not their caste or creed. He reassured the public that the administration is committed to maintaining fairness and upholding constitutional values in the jail.
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The inspection team members
The inspection team also included Civil Judge and DLSA Secretary Rakesh Roshan, SDM Rajesh Kumar, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rohit Gautam, Dr. Rajiv Singh, District Social Welfare Officer Anita Kujur, Executive Engineer Chandan Kumar, DAO Shiv Kumar Ram, Binod Kumar Modi, Kumar Vimlendu, Ajay Kumar Bhatt, Niraj Goel, Suman Pathak, Shailendra Jha, Kanhaiyalal Thakur, Swati, Muskan, Arun Kumar, Saurabh Sarkar, and Rajesh Kumar.
