A bench comprising Justice S.M. Subramaniam and Justice V. Sivagnanam made these remarks while hearing a plea filed by the mother of a prisoner, alleging that her son was being mistreated by prison officials, including being forced to perform household chores for officers.
Chennai: The Madras High Court recently emphasized that prisoners are not slaves and should not be subjected to inhumane treatment as punishment for their offenses. The court observed that torturing inmates would only fuel criminal behavior instead of curbing it.
A bench comprising Justice S.M. Subramaniam and Justice V. Sivagnanam made these remarks while hearing a plea filed by the mother of a prisoner, alleging that her son was being mistreated by prison officials, including being forced to perform household chores for officers.
In its order, the court stressed that any form of torture must be condemned in our legal system, affirming that human lives hold intrinsic value. It clarified that punishment for convicts should only be carried out in accordance with the law.
The bench further warned that the powers vested in jail authorities must be used with caution, as abuse of such power could undermine the criminal justice system.
“It is essential to convey a strong message to the prison authorities that abusing their official position will not be tolerated. Convict prisoners are already in a disadvantaged position within the prison system. Therefore, any form of exploitation by prison officials cannot be treated as routine but must be met with serious action. The use of prisoners for personal tasks at the residences of prison authorities, with supervision by subordinate staff, constitutes both an offense and a violation of the law. Strict action is necessary against both the officials engaging in such practices and the personnel involved in facilitating them,”
the court emphasized.
The court remarked,
“Abuse of authority over vulnerable prisoners creates havoc and compromises the foundations of justice. Power should never be wielded arbitrarily, even in prisons where officials exercise control over prisoners’ restricted rights. Any misuse of power must be addressed with seriousness.”
“Prisoners are not slaves and must not be subjected to inhumane treatment as punishment for their crimes. In our legal system, all forms of torture against any individual are strictly unacceptable. Every human life holds inherent value, and punishment must be administered only in accordance with the law. Torturing inmates does not reduce crime but instead encourages further criminal behavior. Inflicting cruelty on prisoners will only lead to the perpetuation of more crimes,”
the High Court emphasized.
Previously, the court had instructed the Vellore Chief Judicial Magistrate to visit the prison, interact with the prisoner, and submit a report. The findings shocked the court, revealing that prisoners were being used for personal tasks at the residence of the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, in clear violation of the Tamil Nadu Prison Rules, 1983.
A report from the Superintendent of Police confirmed these violations, making a prima facie case against the officials involved.
The court asserted that prison authorities are accountable for safeguarding inmates and that any exploitation of prisoners must not be taken lightly.
It noted,
“Prisoners already occupy a disadvantaged position. Exploiting them for personal services is both illegal and unethical. Authorities involved in such misconduct—whether by directly engaging inmates or through subordinate staff—must face stringent action. Such offenses cannot be tolerated.”
Highlighting the purpose of prisons as spaces for reform, the court reminded jail officials that their powers should be exercised responsibly.
“Power is not meant to oppress the powerless but should be utilized for the benefit of society,” the court added.
The bench directed the Superintendent of CBCID to continue investigating the criminal case and urged the trial court to expedite the proceedings. It also ordered the initiation of disciplinary actions under applicable rules.
Additionally, the court instructed the Principal Secretary to the Government and the Director General of Police to conduct frequent surprise inspections, ensuring that prisoners are not used for private tasks. In case of any complaints, immediate inquiries and corrective actions were mandated.
Case Title: S Kalavathi v State and Others
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