Inmates should have access to private therapists and doctors of their choice: Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita to Delhi HC [READ ORDER]

Pinjra Tod activists Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, on Wednesday (June 2, 2021), requested the Delhi High Court to allow prisoners to take treatment from private doctors/therapists.

Natasha Narwal was arrested last year in May along with fellow activist Devangana Kalita and booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in connection with the Northeast Delhi riots. 

The matter was heard by Justice Rekha Palli in a plea to redress the grievances of petitioners and improve the condition of the Tihar Jail. 

The Bench acknowledged the steps taken by the Superintendent of Central Jail No.6 to resolve the issues faced by inmates. 

The Counsel for the petitioner, Mr.Pujari, while pointing out that there are still some unresolved issues that need to be looked into, submitted that the video conferencing website being used for E-Mulakat of inmates with their lawyers and families does not authorize access to people living outside India.

Further, Mr.Pujari requested the Government of Delhi to allow inmates to take treatment from private doctors and therapists upon payment of fees as required. He submitted that there are inmates in the jail who are voluntarily taking treatment from private doctors and this opportunity should be made available to all inmates.

“He further submits that some of the inmates have been taking treatment from private doctors/therapists of their own volition and the respondent should, therefore, give permissions to all inmates to avail of such an option, subject to verification by the jail authorities of the concerned doctor/therapists, and payment of fee, if any, being made by the inmate himself/ herself.”, he stated.

He further submitted that the computer cell in the jail had been lying idle for over a year and since all the inmates are vaccinated and have fully recovered from Covid-19, the same could be utilized for the benefit of the inmates.

Mr. Gautam Narayan, Counsel for the Government of Delhi, in his reply submitted that the Jail needed to be provided with additional computers and requested the Court to grant time to obtain instructions on the matter and to examine the report filed by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority. 

Before listing the matter to be heard on July 16, 2021, the Court directed the Superintendent of Central Jail No.6 to arrange for video conferencing facilities to enable the petitioners to join the proceedings from jail on the next date.

[READ ORDER]