Human Rights Commission Chairman S. R. Nayak inspects District Sub Jail

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 17, 2012: S. R. Nayak, the chairman of the Human Rights Commission, conducted a surprise inspection of the District Sub Jail on Jan 17 Tuesday. 

Interacting with reporters after inspecting the jail, he said that he had not given any notice before arriving at the jail for inspection, owing to which the jail authorities were taken by surprise and had no time to make any special preparations for his visit. This gave him a chance to see things as they really are at the jail. 

 

Stating that the inmates have been continuously complaining of major problems, he said that some of them have been in jail for over 3 years although they were sentenced for only 6 months because they haven’t been produced in court in time. Delay in investigation is part of the reason for this, he said and urged the Mangalore police commissioner to investigate these cases at the earliest possible, have these inmates produced in court, and release them at the earliest possible. 

Regarding cleanliness and hygiene issues, he said that they are far from satisfactory as the jail authorities have not maintained basic cleanliness at the jail. 

Stating that the inmates had also complained about the poor quality of food served to them, he said that he has noticed that most of the inmates are hardly served any vegetables. 

Mr. Nayak, therefore, urged the jail authorities to provide basic human rights to the inmates, which includes quality food. He said that an inspection of the kitchen revealed that the conditions in which food is prepared is not that bad although the inmates say that the jail authorities have made last-minute preparations to impress him, having obtained prior information about his visit. 

Stating that the jail is overcrowded at present, Mr. Nayak said that 250 inmates are living in a structure made only for 150 people. He urged the state government to move the jail to the proposed area within a year in the best interests of the inmates, stating that any delay in shifting the jail would be considered violation of human rights. 

Seemanth Kumar Singh, the Mangalore police commissioner, and Vinay Gaonkar, the inspector of the Bunder Police Station, were also present.