New Delhi. The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure over the negligence of the jail authorities of Maharashtra. The case pertains to an undertrial accused who has been in jail for more than four years, but was not produced before the trial court on 55 out of 85 hearing dates. The court described this situation as a serious violation of fundamental rights.
A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra granted bail to the accused. During this, the bench said that this failure of the jail department is not only shocking, but also directly affects the judicial process and the constitutional rights of the accused. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the bench has directed the Inspector General of Maharashtra State or the Head of the Prison Department to conduct a personal investigation and take strict action against the officials concerned.
According to the report of Live Law, the court said in the order that we direct that the Inspector General of Jails of Maharashtra or the head of the Prison Department should himself investigate this matter, fix responsibility and take action against the concerned officials. It is made clear that if any attempt is made to save or hide anyone, the head of the DG Prison Department will be personally held responsible for it.
The bench said that producing the accused in the court is not just for speedy trial, but it is an essential medium for his safety, filing complaint of any ill-treatment and direct communication with the judiciary. The production of the accused is not only for speedy trial but also to ensure that he is not subjected to any ill-treatment and that he can place his complaints before the court. There has been a serious violation of this basic security, which is extremely worrying and condemnable. Supreme Court