The Bombay High Court has urged the Maharashtra Government to consider publishing the prison and police manuals on official websites, emphasizing the importance of making critical information accessible to the public through social media platforms. The court’s bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela Gokhale highlighted the lack of confidentiality in the prison manual and called for senior officers to provide reasons for not having these manuals online. This directive came during a hearing of a petition by Arun Bhelke, who sought strict implementation of government advisories regarding terminally ill prisoners.
Bhelke’s petition stemmed from the case of his wife, Kanchan Nanaware, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness while incarcerated under UAPA provisions at Yerwada jail. Despite recommendations for medical bail and transplant procedures, delays in the process led to Nanaware’s unfortunate demise in January 2021 after spending seven years in prison. Following her death, Bhelke approached the High Court seeking justice and highlighting the need for improved healthcare facilities in prisons, as outlined in the inaccessible prison manuals.
During the proceedings, Bhelke’s advocate, Gayatri Singh, emphasized the significance of prisoner healthcare provisions outlined in the manuals that are currently unavailable online, hindering inmates’ access to vital information. The judges expressed concerns about the healthcare conditions within Maharashtra’s prisons and the availability of emergency medical services, including the presence of qualified medical staff, medicine supplies, and equipped ambulances for timely transportation of inmates to external healthcare facilities when necessary.
The High Court has scheduled a hearing on April 28 to further address these issues and evaluate the State’s response to the petition’s demands for improved healthcare and transparency through online publication of essential manuals. The Court’s proactive stance underscores the importance of ensuring prisoners’ rights to adequate healthcare and access to crucial information, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall welfare and medical services within the prison system.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus on enhancing transparency and healthcare services in prisons reflects a broader societal concern for prisoner welfare and rights. By advocating for online publication of manuals and stricter implementation of healthcare guidelines, the High Court’s actions set a precedent for promoting accountability and accessibility within the criminal justice system.
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