Chief Justice interacts with jail inmates
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2022: High Court of Manipur Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar has categorically stated that detaining convicts after the expiry of their jail terms is a gross violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.

Justice PV Sanjay Kumar visited Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa today together with Justice Ahanthem Bimol, Chairman High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) as a part of the campaign to provide legal assistance to the convicts.

They also inspected the living condition of prisoners and interacted with the jail inmates and officials.

Others who visited the jail along with the Chief Justice included Golmei Gai- phushillu, Registrar General of High Court of Manipur, Ojesh Mutum, Member Secretary of MASLSA, Yumkham Rother, Registrar (Judicial), Athokpam Shan-ta, Registrar (Vigilance), Bineshwori Maibam, Additional Member Secretary of MASLSA, L Shurchand, Deputy Registrar (in-charge protocol) of the High Court of Manipur, pro-bono Advocates and panel lawyers of (HCLSC) .

The Chief Justice visited different sectors inside the jail and interacted with the jail inmates and also inspected the conditions of the rooms where the prisoners are housed.

After the inspection, the Chief Justice interacted with the convicts in a multipurpose hall located inside the jail complex and informed about their rights to file appeals against the judgment order passed by subordinate Courts to the High Court or the Supreme Court.

He further stated that if any convict wants to file such appeal, the High Court would provide free legal assistance in filing the appeal.

Many of the convicts showed interest to file such applications before the High Court against their judgment orders passed by lower Courts.

Speaking to media persons after interaction with the jail inmates, Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar said "Inmates, both convicted and under-trial prisoners who are presently lodged inside the jail are human beings like the rest of us and they have certain rights and we need to respect their rights" .

"Manipur being a poor State, we can't expect much but the overall condition of the jail is good although it needs improvement.

We are looking forward to the State Government to provide funds for maintenance of the jail building and for providing vocational training to the inmates", the Chief Justice said.

On being enquired about those convicted under the Foreigners Act who are still lodged in the jail after completion of their prison terms, Justice PV Sanjay Kumar stated that the convicts could not be deported to their respective countries because of pending paper works but detaining them beyond their prison terms is violation of Article 21 .

He further stated the Government needs to speed up the paper works so that foreign convicts who have completed their jail terms can be deported back to their own countries.

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