SC directs committee to formulate plan for disabled-friendly prisons, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court directed a high-powered committee to create a plan for disabled-friendly prisons.
• The committee is led by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat (retd), a former Supreme Court judge.
• The court emphasized that imprisonment should not undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
• The order follows a petition highlighting the prison conditions of activists G. Saibaba and Stan Swamy.
• Prison authorities who abuse disabled prisoners will be penalized under the RPwD Act.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court's order recognizes the need to protect the rights of prisoners with disabilities, ensuring humane treatment and upholding their constitutional rights.
• The high-powered committee includes key officials from States, Union Territories, and various Ministries, indicating a coordinated effort towards prison reform.
• The committee will focus on providing assistive devices, mobility aids, and support equipment tailored to the specific needs of prisoners with disabilities.
• The court's intervention was prompted by concerns over the health and treatment of activists like G. Saibaba and Stan Swamy, highlighting systemic issues in prison management.
• The inclusion of Secretaries from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Social Justice and Empowerment aims to bring specialized expertise to the committee's work.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
• Article 21: Protects the right to life and personal liberty, ensuring no person is deprived of their life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
• RPwD Act: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which aims to ensure the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society.