The court emphasizes the need for compliance with jail standards and accountability in food provision to inmates.

Order No.24/Dated:26.11.2025

1. In pursuant to the order dated 18^th November, 2025, the Jail Superintendent and the Jailor, Birsa Munda Central Jail, namely, Mr. Sudarshan Murmu and Mr. Laukush Kumar, respectively, have appeared.

2. The register pertaining to the selection of the committee to run the canteen has been placed for its perusal by the Court.

3. The Jailor, who is at the helm of affairs regarding the supply of food to the inmates, has submitted that now the foods are being supplied as per the jail manual.

4. This Court has passed an order directing the Secretary Home and I.G. Prison to file specific affidavit by calling for reports from all the different jails regarding the quality of food and submit an affidavit to that effect.

5. The affidavit to that effect has been filed. It has been stated by Mr. Pankaj Kumar, learned Public Prosecutor that the quality of food has been improved and now, they are being provided with the food as per the jail manual.

6. The learned Public Prosecutor has submitted that since the committee has been constituted with the majority of the inmates to run the canteen, now the permission may be given to run the said canteen for easing out the problem of the inmates for the purpose of getting the day to day articles which is to be used by them on day to day basis.

7. This Court, on consideration of the said submission, is granting such permission to run the canteen with a direction that the Jailor will be held responsible if any irregularity will be found on inspection which is to be conducted by the JHALSA/DLSA and as has been referred in the order dated 19.11.2025 that in case of any irregularity, the Court will pass an order to initiate Departmental Proceedings, the same will be passed in such circumstances.

8. So far as providing food to the inmates in the different jails are concerned, we are hereby, directing the Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Ranchi, to visit along with the Secretary, DLSA, Ranchi on any non-working day, for conducting a surprise inspection to ascertain the aforesaid fact.

9. Such endeavor is also be taken by all the Chairman of the DLSA and the Secretary, DLSA of the different District Legal Services Authorities to conduct the inspection regarding the quality of food to assess as to whether the foods are being supplied to the inmates as provided under the Jail manual.

10. Let such report be submitted within two weeks. This Court is making an observation that such inspection regarding the quality of food by the DLSA or JHALSA will be carried out frequently.

11. In Course of argument, it has been stated by the Jail Superintendent and the Jailor, Birsa Munda Central Jail, particularly by the Jailor, that he has recently joined, i.e. on 11^th November, 2025.

12. He has also stated that the predecessor in office of the Jailor, Mr. Dewnath Ram, who is under suspension, has been suspended in contemplation of Departmental Proceeding.

13. Let this Court be apprised that what is the status of the Departmental Proceeding decided to be initiated against Mr. Dewnath Ram.

14. The further update regarding the conspiracy part be also submitted on the next date of hearing.

15. List this case on 11^th December, 2025.

16. Register is being handed over to the Jail Superintendent.

17. Personal appearance of the concerned officers are dispensed with for the present.

18. Let this order be communicated to the learned Member Secretary, JHALSA for its onward communication to all the Chairman, DLSAs to follow the direction as above said.

19. The liberty is reserved to the officers concerned to apprise with respect to any of the untoward incidents/irregularity for passing further necessary order.