'Beyond Imagination': High Court Flags Inadequate Water, Unhygienic Conditions In Rajasthan Jails, Orders Statewide Inspections

The Rajasthan High Court has taken note of inadequate and unhygienic sanitation facilities for jail inmates in the State and has directed the authorities to constitute a “Grievance Redressal Committee” consisting of District Magistrates and Judges, Chief Judicial Magistrates, District Social Welfare Officers, Superintendent of Jail, Secretaries DSLA of all districts of Rajasthan, to examine prisoners' grievances. The bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand directed the members of the committee to make sudden inspection of the jails on any day within three weeks, and privately interview as many prisoners as they consider necessary, and submit a report to the Court. It further directed the Member Secretary, RSLA, to look into the matter and monitor the effective implementation of this order, and submit a report to the Court before the next date.The State has also been directed, in the interim, to come up with a mechanism or policy for ensuring adequate water for drinking and washing, to the jail inmates lodged in various districts and central jails in Rajasthan. “The practical difficulties faced by the inmates (prisoners) remained unaddressed and they remain neglected, because they are convicts or under trials, since they are viewed as criminals and have no choice. Even if they try to raise their grievances, their voice remains unheard.”The Court was hearing a petition that prayed for issuance of appropriate direction to the State for providing sufficient washing soda to the prisoners and water for drinking & washing clothes. It was submitted that the provision for washing soda as provided for under the Rajasthan Prison Rules 1951, was not enough for maintaining personal hygiene. After hearing the contentions, the Court observed that the concept of prisoner also being human and being entitled to a life of dignity, was a cornerstone of modern Indian constitution. It held that right to personal hygiene and sanitation is one of the prisoners' primary human rights.The Court opined that even though sanitation and personal hygiene were not vital for reforming the prison cells into rehabilitation centres, by improving these facilities, prisoners could start living with dignity which was their constitutional right as well. “The modern justice system aims at reforming the inmates by not just punishing them but aiming to restore their self-respect and prepare them for reintegration into the society at large. The Indian law prohibits practices that dehumanize the prisoners. Prisoners are entitled to adequate food, clean drinking and washing water and medical care.”The Court observed that the primary barriers preventing the inmates from reformation was the current jail system, and despite having laws, the nation was not able to provide the required amount of sanitation facilities. It was held that the main cause behind such failure was ignorance of administrative body, continuous corruption in the regulation of prisons, and lack of funding. The Court opined that government organizations, NGOs and civil societies should take lead in transforming the current prison system into correctional facility. “Inspite of amended Rules of 2022, the ground reality is altogether different. Still the prisoners are not getting adequate drinking and washing water and other facilities in jails, for which they are entitled to get…It is beyond imagination as to how a prisoner, be a male or female, can be allowed to wash clothes once in a week, more particularly looking to the harsh weather conditions of the State of Rajasthan.”In this background, the Court held that to understand the magnitude of the practical issues faced by the inmates, the situation had to be assessed precisely in different Central Jails, District Jails and Sub-Jails of the State. Accordingly, the aforementioned directions were issued to the State for constitution of a Grievance Redressal Committee which was, in turn, directed to make surprise visits to jails and interview the prisoners. The Court has also directed affixation of an intimation in every prison regarding constitution of the above committee, along with specific note to all prisoners informing about their right to submit their complaints, in writing, to the committee. Alongside, the State is also directed to formulate a policy for providing adequate water to the jail inmates in Rajasthan. The matter has been listed for February 12, 2026. Title: Peoples Watch Rajasthan v State of Rajasthan & Ors. Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 32Click Here To Read/Download Order

'Beyond Imagination': High Court Flags Inadequate Water, Unhygienic Conditions In Rajasthan Jails, Orders Statewide Inspections

Nupur Agrawal

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