Concerned Action (CAN) vs. Govt. of NCT & Ors., W.P. (C) No. 1490 of 2013

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This petition was filed after various RTI responses were received from different jails in Tihar and Rohini, Delhi regarding the facilities and provisions for inmates with disabilities. The SLIC lawyers had also collected the testimonies of some inmates with disabilities, who had suffered or have been suffering due to the denial of aids and appliances required by them to carry out their daily routine, for example no provision of a wheel-chair or provision of a broken wheel-chair, provision of damaged calipers leading to injuries for the inmate using them etc. The petition also raised concerns regarding the treatment of other vulnerable and sick inmates housed in the jails and prayed for among other things a disability audit, appointment of a disability liaison officer in the jails, training of staff on how to treat inmates with disabilities and development of a policy document on the treatment of vulnerable groups. The Court having considered the matter disposed of the Petition vide its order dated 6th March 2013, with a direction to the prison authorities to treat the same as a representation and to take action on it. The Court has also granted leave to the Petitioner to approach the Court in case the authorities do not take necessary steps to remedy the situation.