In a path-breaking development, India's Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 3) banned all caste-based discrimination in Indian jails, terming them as “unconstitutional.” The court calls for immediate reforms across all states and Union Territories (UTs) against the various jail manual provisions like scavenging and cleaning by the marginalised inmates, as this violates their right to dignity and equality.

The verdict was delivered by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, specifically addressing the entrenched discriminatory practices against marginalised communities, including scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and denotified tribes (DNTs) in Indian prisons.

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“The right to live with dignity extends even to the incarcerated. Not providing dignity to prisoners is a relic of the colonisers and pre-colonial mechanisms, where oppressive systems were designed to dehumanise and degrade those under the control of the State,” the SC bench said.

These discriminatory provisions are part of the pre-colonial-era Prisons Act of 1894, but they continue in independent India despite manuals and Acts framed by the Centre as recently as last year, the apex court found.&nbsp;

“The rule that a prisoner of a high caste be allowed to refuse food cooked by other castes is a legal sanction by the state authorities to untouchability and the caste system,” the bench, which included Justice J B&nbsp;Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, said.

The provision that food is to be cooked by prisoners from a “suitable caste” allows jail officials to discriminate against the marginalised castes, it said.

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It frowned upon the imposition of work such as cleaning latrines and sweeping only on “Mether, Hari caste or Chandal” and similar castes, saying it amounted to “forced labour”. The top court condemned such practice, calling it a clear violation of human dignity.

“We therefore find that the impugned provisions are violative of Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 17 (untouchability), 21 (life and liberty), and 23 (prohibition against forced labour),” the SC bench said.

The bench also asked the central government to make the necessary changes to the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2023 within three months.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a path-breaking development, India's Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 3) banned all caste-based discrimination in Indian jails, terming them as “unconstitutional.

In a path-breaking development, India's Supreme Court on Thursday (Oct 3) banned all caste-based discrimination in Indian jails, terming them as “unconstitutional.” The court calls for immediate reforms across all states and Union Territories (UTs) against the various jail manual provisions like scavenging and cleaning by the marginalised inmates, as this violates their right to dignity and equality. The verdict was delivered by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, specifically addressing the entrenched discriminatory practices against marginalised communities, including scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and denotified tribes (DNTs) in Indian prisons. Also Read | Couple in India's UP dupes people of millions with promise of 'age reversal.' Here's what happened “The right to live with dignity extends even to the incarcerated. Not providing dignity to prisoners is a relic of the colonisers and pre-colonial mechanisms, where oppressive systems were designed to dehumanise and degrade those under the control of the State,” the SC bench said. These discriminatory provisions are part of the pre-colonial-era Prisons Act of 1894, but they continue in independent India despite manuals and Acts framed by the Centre as recently as last year, the apex court found. “The rule that a prisoner of a high caste be allowed to refuse food cooked by other castes is a legal sanction by the state authorities to untouchability and the caste system,” the bench, which included Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, said. The provision that food is to be cooked by prisoners from a “suitable caste” allows jail officials to discriminate against the marginalised castes, it said. Also Read | Pilgrims can now see Mount Kailash from inside Indian territory. Here's how It frowned upon the imposition of work such as cleaning latrines and sweeping only on “Mether, Hari caste or Chandal” and similar castes, saying it amounted to “forced labour”. The top court condemned such practice, calling it a clear violation of human dignity. “We therefore find that the impugned provisions are violative of Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 17 (untouchability), 21 (life and liberty), and 23 (prohibition against forced labour),” the SC bench said. The bench also asked the central government to make the necessary changes to the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2023 within three months. (With inputs from agencies)

India's Supreme Court scraps 'unconstitutional' laws that promote caste-based discrimination in jails

The Supreme Court of India bench hearing the petitions against demonetisation transferred the matter to a five-judge constitution bench on Friday and stayed all matters pertaining to various High Courts.

The Supreme Court refused to extend the use of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in government utility centres like hospitals, railway tickets etc. It asked the government to fulfill the commitment of Rs 24,000 withdrawal per week to the extent possible.

The apex court said that it won&#39;t interfere in the government&#39;s decision and would refer petitions challenging November 8 notification on demonetisation to five-judge Constitutional bench by framing nine questions for adjudication. The bench will explore constitutionality of the demonetisation.

The Supreme Court also accepted the assurance of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that Rs 8,000 crore collected by district cooperative banks between November 11 to 14 will be allowed to be exchanged.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal had said earlier that the use of demonetised Rs 500 notes has come to an end and some order needed to be passed.

On Thursday, the court had said that the Centre should adhere to its notification that allowed withdrawal of Rs 24,000 per week from bank accounts after demonetization of high-value currency notes.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

The apex court said that it won't interfere in the government's decision and will refer petitions to this bench

The Supreme Court of India bench hearing the petitions against demonetisation transferred the matter to a five-judge constitution bench on Friday and stayed all matters pertaining to various High Courts. The Supreme Court refused to extend the use of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in government utility centres like hospitals, railway tickets etc. It asked the government to fulfill the commitment of Rs 24,000 withdrawal per week to the extent possible. The apex court said that it won't interfere in the government's decision and would refer petitions challenging November 8 notification on demonetisation to five-judge Constitutional bench by framing nine questions for adjudication. The bench will explore constitutionality of the demonetisation. The Supreme Court also accepted the assurance of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that Rs 8,000 crore collected by district cooperative banks between November 11 to 14 will be allowed to be exchanged. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal had said earlier that the use of demonetised Rs 500 notes has come to an end and some order needed to be passed. On Thursday, the court had said that the Centre should adhere to its notification that allowed withdrawal of Rs 24,000 per week from bank accounts after demonetization of high-value currency notes. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Demonetisation: Supreme Court sets up 5-judge bench to decide if move is constitutional

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India's Supreme Court scraps 'unconstitutional' laws that promote caste-based discrimination in jails

Demonetisation: Supreme Court sets up 5-judge bench to decide if move is constitutional