Kerala High Court Gives State 2 Weeks To Constitute Prison Monitoring Committee After Retired Judge Withdraws Consent Over Delay

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. issued the direction while hearing a suo motu writ petition initiated over prison-related issues in the State in line with recent directions issued by the Supreme Court.

During the proceedings, counsel appearing for the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) informed the court that Justice R. Narayana Pisharadi (Retd.), a former judge of the Kerala High Court, had earlier been nominated as Chairperson of the proposed State Level Monitoring Committee. However, he subsequently withdrew his consent due to the State's failure to constitute the committee within a reasonable time.

Taking note of the submission, the Bench observed that the absence of the committee had made it difficult to implement the directions issued by the Supreme Court in W.P.(C) No. 1082 of 2020 through its order dated February 26, 2026.

The Court thus directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Home (B) Department, to ensure that the State Level Monitoring Committee is constituted within two weeks in accordance with the Supreme Court's mandate.

The Bench also requested Justice Pisharadi to reconsider his decision to withdraw consent, expressing hope that the State would complete the constitution of the committee within the stipulated period.

“We request Hon'ble Mr. Justice R. Narayana Pisharadi (Retd.), former Judge of the High Court of Kerala, to reconsider His Lordship's decision to withdraw his consent. We are hopeful that the State will constitute the State Level Monitoring Committee within the aforesaid period.” the Court said.

The court has also directed the State Government to file its response to a report submitted by KeLSA regarding overcrowding in correctional homes across Kerala.

The matter has been posted for further consideration on July 13, 2026

Case Title: Suo Motu v The State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(C) 13064/ 2026

Counsel for Respondents: A. Parvathi Menon, anil Bhaskar