The Supreme Court has called upon the Central government to respond to a petition demanding improved conditions for disabled prisoners, highlighting the lack of accessible infrastructure in Indian jails. The petition references the struggles of Father Stan Swamy and Professor GN Saibaba, both of whom endured severe hardships due to disabilities while incarcerated.
Father Stan Swamy, who had Parkinson’s disease, passed away in 2021 while awaiting trial, reportedly without adequate medical care. Professor Saibaba, a wheelchair user and former academic, was released in 2023 after years of imprisonment, only to pass away a few months later. The plea argues that their suffering exemplifies the systemic neglect of disabled inmates.
Filed by public activist Sathyan Naravoor, the petition calls for urgent reforms to prison laws, ensuring full implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Despite the Act being in force for over eight years, most state prison manuals still lack mandatory provisions for accessibility, such as ramps and disability-friendly toilets.
The plea points out that prisoners with mobility impairments frequently struggle with basic daily tasks, often relying on fellow inmates for assistance. Many prison cells—particularly high-security “Anda” cells—are not wheelchair-accessible, and essential medical care like physiotherapy remains out of reach.
The petition also cites international standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Nelson Mandela Rules, emphasizing India’s responsibility to align its prison system with global human rights norms.
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has issued a notice to the government, seeking a response within four weeks.
