NEW DELHI, November 3, 2026 – Expressing strong disappointment and calling the situation “very sad,” the Supreme Court of India today issued a final warning to 23 States and Union Territories (UTs) for failing to respond to queries sought by the Centre regarding caste-based discrimination inside prisons.
The top court is hearing a suo motu case concerning deeply entrenched discriminatory practices and the segregation of prisoners based on caste in jails across the country. The Union Home Ministry had previously sought information from all states and UTs to file a composite report detailing the steps taken to eliminate these practices and to constitute district-level boards of visitors.
However, during Tuesday’s hearing, the bench noted that a large number of administrations had simply ignored the Home Ministry’s communications. “Unfortunately, 23 states/UTs are yet to reply to the information called for by the home department of the Union of India,” the bench remarked. “It is very sad that the states highlighted in the report are not responding to the home ministry of the Union.”
Senior advocate S. Muralidhar, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, informed the bench that the states and UTs are legally obligated to respond with appropriate affidavits or reports outlining the progress made in establishing the district-wise boards of visitors—a key mechanism intended to monitor and prevent discriminatory practices behind bars.
Refusing to tolerate further administrative delays on such a sensitive human rights issue, the Supreme Court granted one final opportunity to the defaulting states. The court warned that continued non-compliance would result in severe consequences for top bureaucrats.
“We make it clear today that by the next date of hearing, if the states do not respond, we shall be compelled to direct the chief secretaries/principal secretaries of the states/UTs to personally remain present before this court,” the bench stated firmly.
The immediate responses from the states are critical for the central government to compile a comprehensive report highlighting the nationwide progress in implementing the court’s earlier directions aimed at reforming the prison system.
The Supreme Court has posted the matter for its next hearing on January 13, 2027, setting a hard deadline for the 23 defaulting states and Union Territories to submit their reports.
Published by True Roots Media Network