Source:-https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The division bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devendra Kachhawaha, while hearing the petition filed by Manoj Yadav, directed additional advocate general Farzand Ali to apprise the court regarding the proposed steps for complete overhauling of the Prison Manual and to ensure that the prisoners are not forced to indulge in menial jobs like cleaning toilets, etc, merely on the basis of their caste and also that no under trial prisoner is forced to perform such jobs in the prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking note of a report that prisons in Rajasthan were allocating work to inmates based on their caste, the Rajasthan High Court has sought the government\u2019s response and called for a complete overhaul of the \u201carchaic\u201d rule book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The division bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devendra Kachhawaha, while hearing the petition filed by Manoj Yadav, directed additional advocate general Farzand Ali to apprise the court regarding the proposed steps for complete overhauling of the Prison Manual and to ensure that the prisoners are not forced to indulge in menial jobs like cleaning toilets, etc, merely on the basis of their caste and also that no under trial prisoner is forced to perform such jobs in the prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the interest of justice, the court urged the state government to consider installation of mechanized\/automated cleaning facilities in all the prisons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have come across a very disturbing report regarding the existence of a caste-based work assignment system in the prisons in Rajasthan. The report is based on a research paper of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). The researcher of the CHRI interviewed various prisoners (since released) from prisons in Rajasthan and a shocking finding came out that till date the archaic Prison Manual, which was a gift of the British Rule, is prevalent in the prison system of the State,\u201d said the judges in their order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The order came following detailed reporting in The Wire, which also used resources from CHRI. According to the news website\u2019s report, the arrangement was clear \u2013 those at the bottom of the caste pyramid did the cleaning work; while those in higher cases handled kitchen or legal documentation department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the rich and influential did nothing;they only threw their weight around. These arrangements had nothing to do with the crime that one was arrested for or his conduct in prison. \u201cSab kuch jaati ke aadhar par tha (It was all based on caste),\u201d said the report, a part of which was cited in the order,<\/p>\n