'Protection Of Human Dignity Doesn't Cease At Prison Gate': Karnataka High Court Issues Guidelines On Home-Cooked Food To Undertrials

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (March 4) laid down guidelines on providing home-cooked food to undertrials and prisoners observing that protection of human dignity does not cease at the gates of prison. 

The court passed the order while setting aside a trial court order which had permitted home-cooked food for actress Pavithra Gowda, Nagaraju R and Lakshman M–presently facing trial in the Renukaswamy Murder case, after finding that before granting such permission, prior medical examination of the accused persons had not been conducted. 

Justice M Nagaprasanna while pronouncing the order said:

"The protection of human dignity does not cease at the gates of the prison. The prisoners though deprived of liberty are entitled to basic necessities, a caveat in accordance with law. Home cooked food for undertrial prisoners is not prohibited but it can be granted only in accordance with prison rules and procedures noted herein above. Medical advice must preceed the grant of home cooked food. Permission cannot be granted merely on request or as a matter of indulgence. The trial court's order is legally unsustainbale as it directed grant of home cooked food without prior medical examination or recommendation. Granting of such concessions indiscriminately would create chaos in the prison management as other inmates would also be entitled to similar treatment"

The court also said that the adequacy and quality of prison food was a matter of concern after noting the amount spent on four meals per day for each inmate, observing that it raised questions of nutritional sufficiency. The court  said:

"To safeguard prisoners rights and to ensure transparency I deem it appropriate to direct:
- Digital publication of prison menu at conspicuous places

- Establisment of a complaint mechanism enabling prisoners to report deficiencies in food quality, in not in place already

- Medical officer or a designated dietician shall conduct periodic inspection of food prepared for inmates and record certification with regard to its quality intermittently

- The State Government shall issue circular towards procedure for compliance with the directions"

The court set aside the trial court order while granting liberty to the petitioners to seek permission for home cooked food afresh, provided it is supported with medical advice and processed with applicable prison rules while bearing in mind the observations made by the apex court while cancelling bail granted to the accused. 

A detailed copy of the order is awaited. 

While reserving its verdict last month the court had orally remarked that it will lay down guidelines on providing home-cooked food to undertrials and prisoners. 

The State Government had challenged a Sessions Court order dated 29-12-2025 as well as a clarificatory order dated 12-1-2026 which permitted the grant of home cooked food to accused 1(Gowda), 11(Nagaraju R) and 12 (Lakshman M). On January 20 the high court had stayed the sessions court order.

Darshan and 16 others have been charged for offences punishable under Section 120B, (Conspiracy), 201 (destruction of evidence), 364 (Abduction/kidnapping), 302 (murder) and Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. They were granted bail by the high court in December 2024, which was cancelled by the Supreme Court in August 2025.

The Supreme Court had while cancelling bail granted to Darshan as well as Gowda and five others, had warned the jail authorities against providing any special treatment to the actor over his celebrity status.

Case title: STATE OF KARNATAKA v/s SMT. PAVITHRA GOWDA & Others

WP 1421/2026