GURCHARAN SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A letter received through post - from 50 convicts in Control Jail Bhatinda, was treated as Criminal Writ Petition No. 1251 or 1988. Notice was given to A.G. Punjab and Shri Narotam Singh Thakur, Superintendent Central Jail Bhatinda his filed a reply.

(2.) THE petitioners had requested for their due facilities which are mentioned at items No. 1 to 27. In the reply it has been stated that petitioner Nos 1 to 5 were under trial prisoners and are governed under para 576(E) of the Punjab Jail Manual. All the facilities provided in the said para have already been given to the said petitioners. Petitioner Nos. 6 to 30 are convicted prisoners and they have also been provided all the due facilities as per provisions of para 576(C) of the Punjab Jail Manual. Items No 14 to 18 mentioned in the petition, that is Chapli, "Banyan, Boot polish, brush and Boot are said to be not permissible in the said Manual and, therefore, cannot be issued to the petitioners. Items mentioned at serial Nos. 13, 23, 24 and 25, in the petition, are said to be required to be given during winter and the same will be provided during that period. So far as the interviews for 'B' Class prisoners, that is convicts mentioned at serial Nos. 22, it is stated that there is no such provision in Punjab Jail Manual as per para 553 (A) of the said Manual. It is clearly mentioned that every interview shall take place a special part of the jail appointed for the purpose, it possible at a near the main gate. The convicts are allotted labour according to the provisions of the said Manual.

(3.) WITH these observations, this petition is disposed and I direct that respondent No. 1 would act in accordance with the provisions of Punjab Jail Manual and would remove all the grievances of the convicts. Petition disposed of.