In Brief

This writ petition addressed severe over-crowding in Indian prisons, with many facilities exceeding 150% capacity. The Court held that prisoners—both awaiting trial and convicted—retain fundamental rights including the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. Despite previous judicial directions, States had failed to take effective steps to reduce over-crowding or prepare viable action plans. The Court directed the Ministry of Women and Child Development to expedite a Juvenile Justice Manual, States to prepare action plans with specific timelines and budgets within six months, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to collate compliance reports, emphasizing that prisoners' rights cannot be ignored regardless of their circumstances."

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