Gauhati High Court Orders Mizoram Government to Expedite Prison Reforms [Read Order]

Gauhati: The Gauhati High Court has issued a significant order, directing the Government of Mizoram to take concrete steps to improve the conditions of prisons in the state.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Michael Zothankhuma, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by the Zofa Welfare Organization (ZWO) in 2022, which raised concerns about the poor conditions of prisons in Mizoram.

The court’s order follows an additional affidavit filed by the Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Home Department, in which it was mentioned that the state government is taking necessary steps to construct new jails in Mizoram.

An “OVERALL ABSTRACT OF COST” document was also annexed, detailing the number of works to be executed in 8 prisons across the state. The court noted that, based on this assessment, a detailed project report will be prepared, and administrative approval and expenditure sanctions will be obtained.

The court further noted that despite the availability of funds sanctioned by the Central Government for improving prison conditions, the state government had not taken effective steps, and only “paper work is going on.”
The court observed: “We expect that the State Government shall present a concrete proposal for executing the works to improve the conditions of the prisons as per its assessment.”

In conclusion, the court granted the state government four weeks to clarify when the proposed work for improving prison conditions will commence and when it is expected to be completed.

[Read Order]