SC forms three-member panel for jail reforms across India

New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Tuesday set up a three-member committee, headed by its former judge Justice Amitava Roy, to suggest and look after jail reforms across the country.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice S. Adbul Nazeer and Justice Deepak Gupta said the committee will suggest measures for jail reforms in the country and will look into various issues, including over-crowding in prisons and the issues concerning women prisoners.

The committee will receive assistance from government officials and will be required to file its reports before the Supreme Court from time to time.

The court was hearing a plea relating to inhuman conditions in 1,382 prisons across the country.

In an earlier hearing, the apex court had said it will constitute a committee to deal with issues relating to jails and suggest reforms.

It had expressed concern on overcrowding of jails across India, observing that prisoners also have human rights and cannot be kept like animals.