The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre’s response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, in prisons to ensure adequate facilities for disabled prisoners.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Union government after hearing the petition filed by public activist Sathyan Naravoor, represented by advocate Kaleeswaram Raj. “Issue notice, returnable within four weeks,” the Court directed.
The petition highlighted the plight of disabled prisoners, citing the cases of Professor GN Saibaba and Father Stan Swamy. Swamy, a Parkinson’s patient, died in custody in 2021 after being denied basic medical care, while Saibaba, who was wheelchair-bound, passed away last year months after his acquittal, following years of imprisonment in harsh conditions.
According to the plea, despite the RPwD Act being enacted over eight years ago, most State prison manuals fail to mandate essential accessibility measures like ramps, disabled-friendly toilets, and medical facilities tailored for inmates with disabilities.
“PwD prisoners often depend on others for assistance with daily tasks, and the lack of adequate facilities in prisons places them at a significant disadvantage compared to non-disabled inmates,” the petition stated, adding that many prison cells, especially “Anda” (egg-shaped) cells, are not wheelchair-accessible.
The plea also emphasized India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Nelson Mandela Rules, calling for reforms to align the country’s prison system with international human rights standards.
Advocates Mohammed Sadique TA, Thulasi K Raj, Aparna Menon, and Chinnu Maria Antony also appeared for the petitioner.
Case: Sathyan Naravoor vs Union of India & Ors. – Available on LAWFYI.IO
