Prison Caste Discrimination: 23 States, UTs Yet to Answer Centre, SC Told

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 3 November, told 23 states and Union Territories that it was “very sad” they had not answered the Union Home Ministry’s queries on caste discrimination inside prisons. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Manmohan gave them “one last opportunity” to reply so the Centre can file a single composite report, LiveLaw and PTI reported. The court is hearing the matter on its own motion, under the title “In Re: Discrimination inside prisons in India”.

Personal Appearance by Chief Secretaries Possible

If the states and Union Territories stay silent until the next hearing, the bench said it would be “compelled” to direct their chief secretaries or principal secretaries to appear in person. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati was asked to coordinate with the states. Senior advocate S Muralidhar, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, told the bench that no state or Union Territory has yet set up district-wise boards of visitors, according to LiveLaw.

What the Centre Still Waits to Hear

The Centre’s fresh status report says written replies are still awaited on how caste data reaches the National Crime Records Bureau, removal of caste columns from prison registers, outsourcing of cleaning work, and changes to jail manuals and Acts. The report also covers police regulations similar to the Madhya Pradesh Police Regulations, 1937, and the Model Prison Manual, 2016.

Also read Facial Recognition at Protests: Supreme Court Issues Notice on SFLC Plea

From the 2024 Verdict to Boards of Visitors

In October 2024 the Supreme Court held the jail manual rules of 10 states unconstitutional and barred caste-based division of manual labour and segregation of barracks. It later took up the matter suo motu to monitor compliance. On 30 July 2026 it ordered every state and Union Territory to form district-wise boards of visitors, headed by the principal district judge, within four weeks. The Centre’s report follows that order and one of 10 September 2026.

Hearing Resumes on 13 January

The case returns to the court on 13 January 2027. Until then, the states that have not replied are expected to send their answers to the Home Ministry. Read more on the court’s recent orders in our Daily Updates section, including its earlier ruling on wrongful imprisonment.

Source: Based on reporting by LiveLaw, ThePrint (PTI) and Kashmir Observer.

Image: LiveLaw.