Introduction:

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed concern over the lack of adequate facilities for prisoners to contact their family members, potentially leading to desperate measures like smuggling phones into jails. In a suo moto case on prison security, a division bench, comprising Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Kirti Singh, questioned the delay in installing a proper calling system. Justice Grewal emphasized that the extended timeline for installation could contribute to prisoners resorting to bribery or smuggling phones, posing security risks.

Arguments:

The court scrutinized an affidavit submitted by the ADGP, Punjab, detailing an 8-month timeline for installing the calling system. Justice Grewal voiced skepticism, asserting that reducing the timeline was crucial to addressing the root problem. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the prison authority’s proposals, highlighting the daily occurrences of inmates using phones and creating videos, negatively impacting law and order. The judges stressed the need for immediate steps, including patrolling and regular checks, to prevent unauthorized phone usage within jails.

Court’s Judgement:

The court, listing the matter for February 07, directed the respondents to submit affidavits outlining the steps taken by jail staff to curb mobile phone use, detailing patrolling frequency and recovery actions. The urgency of addressing the issue was evident in the court’s emphasis on preventing further embarrassment to the ADGP and safeguarding the state’s law and order.