Tamil Nadu

Let prisoners meet lawyers on Saturdays also, says High Court

MADURAI: The Madras High Court has directed the State Government to permit the inmates of central prisons in Madurai, Tiruchi and Palayamkottai to meet their lawyers even on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Disposing of a public interest litigation petition filed before the Madurai Bench, Justices Prafulla Kumar Misra and P. Murgesen said that the permission could be denied only in exceptional circumstances by stating adequate reasons. The Judges directed the Home Secretary and the Inspector General of Prisons to strictly follow all other precautionary measures and security arrangements as per the existing norms for such interview.

The petitioner’s counsel, P. Rathinam and A. Sahaya Philomin Raj, pointed out that the principal seat of the High Court in Chennai had passed similar orders on March 2 with respect to Puzhal Central prison in Chennai. The officials did not choose to implement it in other prisons and hence the present petition.

Agreeing with the counsel, the Judges said: “Even though the decision was in the specific context of visit to Puzhal jail, more or less a similar principle is applicable to Madurai, Tiruchi and Palayamkottai central prisons. Therefore, we feel it would be reasonable and appropriate to follow the rationale of the said decision.” They rejected the prison officials’ contention that there would be administrative inconvenience in permitting such meetings on Saturdays when the prisoners were sent to government hospitals for specialised medical screening camps.

Further, moral lectures of different faiths, welfare activities by non-governmental organisations, transfer of prisoners to other central prisons and such other work were carried out on Saturdays, they added.

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