NEW DELHI: The central government has implemented the Supreme Court verdict to end prison caste discrimination. The Model Prison Manual of 2016 and the Regulations relating to the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act of 2023 have been amended. The Union Home Ministry has directed the state chief secretaries to implement the new changes.
On October 3, 2024, the Supreme Court ordered an end to severe caste discrimination in prisons where backward caste inmates are given jobs such as washing toilets and sweeping while jobs including cooking for upper castes.
Later, an SC bench presided over by the then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled that caste-based discrimination is a violation of fundamental rights and will not be tolerated. The central and state governments were instructed to amend the jail manual and rules within three months. The important judgment was in a petition filed by journalist Sukanya Shantha of an online news website.
In a letter sent to the states, the central government has issued strict instructions to ensure prisoners do not face discrimination based on caste in jails. Do not assign any specific job based on caste. Caste should not be considered while keeping prisoners segregated. Scavenging works using prisoners was also prohibited.