NHRC takes a serious view of chaining of a 92 year old prisoner at a hospital bed in district Etah, Uttar Pradesh; issues notice and says, the incident indicates malfunctioning of Sentence Review Board in the State

New Delhi, 18th June, 2021

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has taken a serious view of the chaining a 92 year old prisoner to a bed during treatment in Etah district hospital, Uttar Pradesh. Taking cognizance of a complaint, having attached a news clipping in the matter, the Commission has observed that keeping a 92 year old ill prisoner in jail indicates towards the malfunctioning of Sentence Review Board in the State.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh calling for report within six weeks from the date of its receipt, explaining the following:

1. When the last meeting of the Sentence Review Board was held;

2. How many cases are pending before the Sentence Review Board;

3. How many sentences have been commuted by the Sentence Review Board in year 2020 and 2019, and;

4. What system is being followed in Jails for referring the matters to the Sentence Review Board?

The Commission has further observed that under section 433 Cr. PC and Prison Rules, the Government has powers to commute the sentence through Sentence Review Board. The functioning of Sentence Review Board should be improved for the protection of human rights of prisoners and decongesting jails to relieve the Government from the burden of taking care of such old and ill inmates.

Allegedly, the incident had happened last month and a Jail Warden was suspended for his negligence in the matter.

*****