Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud shared that a recent Supreme Court report addressing prisoner issues was inspired by President Murmu’s speech on the challenges faced by inmates. He highlighted that the release of three new publications tied into the ongoing 75th anniversary celebrations of the Supreme Court of India. President Murmu’s remarks shed light on the urgent need for judicial reforms concerning prisoners’ rights, which the report aims to address.
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud shared on Tuesday that a speech by President Droupadi Murmu highlighting the struggles of prisoners, particularly undertrials, “kindled” discussions in the Supreme Court, ultimately leading to the release of a report.
Speaking at the launch of Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion at Rashtrapati Bhavan, CJI Chandrachud expressed gratitude to the President for her “stirring speech” during the 2022 Constitution Day celebrations.
He remarked,
“The speech of the President kindled a conversation at the Supreme Court and culminated in one of the reports being released today. This report is a result of the President’s vision, and it is but appropriate that it is being released by her,”
The CJI further noted,
“I daresay that this is an example of what can be achieved when the different branches of the state share a constitutional goal.”
In addition to the prisons report, President Murmu also released Justice for the Nation: Reflections on 75 Years of the Supreme Court of India and Legal Aid through Law Schools: A Report on the Working of Legal Aid Cells in India.
Emphasizing transparency, CJI Chandrachud said,
“We have tried to hide nothing at all, and our disclosure is full and fair.”
The event attended by several notable figures, including CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.
CJI D.Y. Chandrachud stated,
“The release of these three publications marked a continuation of the celebrations for the Supreme Court of India’s 75th anniversary.”
He highlighted the “seminal importance” of the publications, calling them “moments of self-reflection” for both the Supreme Court and the broader judicial system.
Discussing the prison report, the CJI explained that it reviewed the prison manuals of all states and addressed often-overlooked issues such as menstrual equity, reproductive rights for women prisoners, and de-addiction programs.
Referencing the Supreme Court’s recent decision against caste-based discrimination in jails, he noted,
“One of the significant findings of the study was that the caste of prisoners often determined the work which they are allotted, with inmates from oppressed castes being allotted tasks related to sanitation,”
The CJI also spoke about the role of legal-aid clinics in law schools and mentioned that the Justice for the Nation report includes essays by judges, eminent jurists, academics, and lawyers on key themes and trends in Supreme Court jurisprudence.
Reflecting on contributions to the publication, he shared,
“Mr. Fali Nariman turned in his report on email to me just the afternoon before fate took him away from us.”
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