HC directs state to provide telephone facilities to prisoners

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 25, 2020

The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to provide telephone facilities to all prisoners at least once a week.

The order was passed by the division bench headed by the chief justice Mohammad Rafiq while hearing public interest litigation (PIL) in connection with the Shillong district jail here on Tuesday.

“In the meantime, we direct the respondent State to verify whether the prisoners are having telephone facilities to talk to any of their family members, and if not, provide such facility to all the inmates at least once a week during daytime between 9AM to 6PM,” the order said.

Meanwhile, the advocate general (AG) informed that he has filed the affidavit in response to the direction of the Court on November 20, last year. Amicus Curiae said that he has been provided copy of the affidavit only today, he wants to study and file his response.

The Court also directed the Amicus Curiae to go and inspect at least three major jails in the State and file the report as to the conditions prevaling therein. The next hearing on the matter has been fixed on March 4.