Jharkhand High Court Orders Surprise Inspections Across All State Jails to Monitor Food Quality

Ranchi, Jharkhand – In a significant move to uphold the rights and welfare of prison inmates, the Jharkhand High Court has directed all District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) in the state to conduct surprise inspections of jails to assess the quality of food being provided. The order came from a Division Bench comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Kumar Rai while hearing a criminal appeal.

The court mandated that these inspections be carried out frequently to ensure that food supplied to inmates strictly adheres to the standards prescribed in the jail manual.

Case Background

The issue of prison conditions emerged during the proceedings of Cr. Appeal (DB) No. 961 of 2024 (Akash Kumar Roy v/s National Investigating Agency) . Following earlier court orders, the Jail Superintendent and the new Jailor of Birsa Munda Central Jail, Mr. Sudarshan Murmu and Mr. Laukush Kumar respectively, appeared before the court.

The court was informed through an affidavit filed by the state that the quality of food in the jails has improved and is now being supplied as per the official manual. This assurance followed previous concerns raised about the conditions within the correctional facilities.

Key Directives and Canteen Operations

Based on the state's submission and a proposal to ease daily life for inmates, the High Court issued several key directives:

• Canteen Operations: The court granted permission for the canteen at Birsa Munda Central Jail to be run by a committee composed of a majority of inmates.
• Jailor's Accountability: The Bench placed direct responsibility on the Jailor, Mr. Laukush Kumar, stating he would be held personally accountable for any irregularities found in the canteen's operation during inspections by the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) or the DLSA. The court reiterated its previous warning that departmental proceedings would be initiated if any lapses are discovered.
• Statewide Surprise Inspections: The court expanded its oversight beyond a single facility, directing the Chairman and Secretary of every DLSA across Jharkhand to conduct surprise inspections on non-working days to verify the quality of food.
• Reporting Timeline: All DLSAs have been ordered to submit their inspection reports to the High Court within two weeks.

Scrutiny on Past Misconduct

The court also turned its attention to administrative accountability. It was noted that the current Jailor of Birsa Munda Central Jail had only recently taken charge on November 11, 2025. His predecessor, Mr. Dewnath Ram, is currently under suspension pending a departmental proceeding. The Bench has sought an updated status report on the disciplinary action initiated against the former jailor.

Final Decision and Implications

The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for December 11, 2025, where it expects updates on the departmental proceeding and the "conspiracy part" of the main criminal appeal.

This order marks a proactive step by the judiciary to institutionalize a system of checks and balances within the state's prison system. By empowering the DLSAs to conduct frequent and unannounced inspections, the High Court aims to ensure sustained compliance with the jail manual and safeguard the fundamental rights of inmates.