Women Prisoners Getting Pregnant While In Custody, 196 Babies In Jails Of West Bengal: Amicus Curiae Informs Calcutta HC
The Calcutta High Court has been informed that women prisoners are getting pregnant while in custody and currently, there are around 196 babies staying in different prisons of the West Bengal State.
The Court had taken a suo motu cognizance on overcrowding in prisons and it was dealing with a batch of writ petitions.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya ordered, “In order to have an effective adjudication of all these matters, we deem it appropriate that the matters should be placed before the Hon'ble Division Bench having criminal roaster determination.”
Amicus Curiae Tapas Kumar Bhajna appeared in person before the court.
The counsel for the amicus curiae submitted that the women prisoners while in custody are getting pregnant and at present there are as many as 196 babies staying in different prisons of West Bengal. The counsel further suggested prohibition of entry of male employees in the Correctional Home into the enclosures of the women prisoners.
The High Court in view of such issues, directed that the matters be placed before the Division Bench having criminal roaster determination.
Accordingly, the Bench released the writ petitions from its list and directed the same to be placed before the Chief Justice for appropriate orders.
Cause Title- Court in its own motion In Re: Overcrowding in Prisons
Appearance:
Amicus Curiae: Advocates Kallol Guha Thakurta, Subas Ray, Wasim Rahaman, and Dhriti Chanda.
