Punjab Jail Security | High Court Calls For Urgent Proposals On Prison Safety Measures, Seeks Chief Secy's Affidavit

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab Government to make immediate efforts to submit a proposal for the installation of security equipment and to take measures to strengthen security in Punjab jails.Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda noted that as per Punjab's Chief Secretary response, the security equipment has been procured and is being installed in the jails.Chief Secretary's affidavit stated that the approval for installation of V-Kavach Jammers has been accorded by the Cabinet in its meeting held on May 09, 2025. He also submitted that in-principle approval for recruitment of about 500 jail staff has been obtained and the requisition in this regard would be sent to the Staff Selection Board within a period of one month.It further added that the State have also sought additional personnel from CRPF, PESCO, Punjab Home Guards, IRB, QRT and Punjab Police. "However, in view of the prevalent security situation, the process is likely to take some time as the security forces are engaged in internal security duties."Perusing, the affidavit the Court pointed that the timelines submitted by state on installation of different security measures "shall be effective from the date of administrative approval.""Therefore, we direct that the Chief Secretary, Punjab shall file the affidavit stating therein the stage of the process and the approvals. Endeavor should be made to immediately send the proposals, which would be considered at the earliest by the competent authority," said the bench.Listing the matter for May 28, the Court said that, "the fresh timelines shall also be set out in the affidavit which shall be filed by the next date of hearing."The Court was hearing a suo moto PIL wherein it has been monitoring the progress in augmenting the security of the jails for over a year. It said that a sufficient time had been granted to the Punjab Government to put in place the measures suggested by the Senior Officers of the State Government to augment the security of the jails.Ms. Tanu Bedi, Advocate as Amicus Curiae. (Through video conferencing).Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India with Mr. Arun Gosain, Senior Govt. Counsel for the respondent/UOI.Mr. A.S. Khara, Sr. DAG, Punjab. Mr. Anant Kataria, DAG, Haryana.Mr. Manish Bansal, Public Prosecutor, UT Chandigarh and Mr. Rajiv Vij, Addl. P.P. UT Chandigarh.Mr. Gourav Bhayyia Gilhotra, Advocate and Mr. Vishawjeet Singh, Advocate, for the applicant in CM-85-CWPIL-2023.Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERSClick here to read/download the order

Punjab Jail Security | High Court Calls For Urgent Proposals On Prison Safety Measures, Seeks Chief Secy's Affidavit

Aiman J. Chishti

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