COVID-19: SC takes suo moto cognisance of overcrowding of prisons

The Supreme Court on Monday (March 16) took suo moto cognisance of overcrowding and infrastructure of prisons across the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

A bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and L.N. Rao issued a notice to the Director General of Prison, and chief secretary of all states and union territories seeking their response by March 20 on steps taken for prevention of COVID-19.

The court also asked all states and union territories to depute an officer who could assist the court in the matter on March 23. The bench also took suo moto cognisance of conditions in remand homes where juveniles in conflict with the 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.

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

The number of novel coronavirus cases in the country rose to 110 on Sunday, with Maharashtra reporting the highest followed by Kerala.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 110 cases in India so far, including two people who died in Delhi and Karnataka and 17 foreigners.