The Kerala High Court on Monday (July 13) requested retired High Court judge Justice R. Narayana Pisharadi to accept chairmanship of the State Level Monitoring Committee, to be constituted to oversee implementation of Supreme Court's directions with regard to prison conditions in the State.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a suo motu writ petition initiated over prison-related issues in the State in line with recent directions of the Apex Court.

In its June 29 order, the Court had directed that the Committee be constituted within 2 weeks.

When the matter came up yesterday, the Special Government Pleader informed the Court that all necessary steps have been taken for the constitution of the committee and that the same is expected to be completed by July 16. He sought an adjournment till the said date. The Court then directed the Special GP to file a report.

Earlier, the Court was informed that Justice Pisharadi had been nominated as Chairperson of the proposed Committee but he subsequently withdrew his consent due to the State's failure to constitute the same within a reasonable time. The Court had then requested the retired judge to take up the chairmanship.

Yesterday again, the Court requested the retired judge to consider accepting the position:

"Our request to Hon'ble Mr. Justice R. Narayana Pisharadi (Retired), a former Judge of this Court, would remain. We request His Lordship to accept the Chairmanship of the said Committee, which is likely to be constituted by 16th July, 2026."

The case is now posted to July 16 for further consideration.

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

Case No: WP(C) 13064/ 2026

Counsel for the respondents: Zeba Mujeeb - KeLSA, C. Rasheed - Spl. GP

Click to Read/Download Interim Order