HASEEN Vs. STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the present petition under Article 226 of Constitution of India in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to the respondents to provide two times meals for 'saheri' (morning meal) and "iftar" (breaking fast after sunset) during the holy month of 'Ramzan' to the Muslim prisoners in various jails throughout the State of Haryana for observing 'Roza' (fast). A further prayer has been made for passing necessary orders directing the respondents to provide facilities of performing religious offerings by the prisoners in various jails in the State of Haryana for their reformation as the prisoners are entitled to enjoy the right to freedom of religion as guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution of India.

(2.) The petitioner is a practising advocate at District Bar, Nuh and belongs to Muslim minority community. It is stated that he is a son of an ordinary farmer and his income is less than Rs. 4.00 lacs. It is submitted that he is connected with various social organizations for the development of the society and for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of the society. He is doing these human services since long for the sake of humanity. He has the means to pay the costs, if any, imposed by this Court and give an undertaking to the Court in this respect. It is stated that he being conscious of his duty towards his fellow members of the society, has been actively promoting human rights for all by helping advance access to justice. In the past, he has approached this Court by filing a petition demanding an inquiry and action in an alleged incident of fake encounter by the State Police and he filed a public interest litigation, which is pending in this Court.

(3.) The grievance of the petitioner in the present petition is that the Muslim prisoners lodged in the jails in the State of Haryana should be given two times meals for 'Saheri' (Morning Meal) and 'Iftar' (Breaking fast after sunset) during the month of 'Ramzan' when 'Rozas' are kept so that they can profess their religion with devotion.