In Brief

The Supreme Court addressed custodial deaths in prisons, particularly suicides, arising from Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti's letter about inhumane prison conditions. The Court held that custodial deaths violate Article 21 of the Constitution. Based on National Crime Records Bureau data, prison suicides exceed national averages by 50%. The Court recognized monetary compensation to next of kin as established remedy but emphasized this is insufficient without systemic reforms. The judgment directed: High Courts to register PILs identifying victims and awarding compensation; states to implement prison reforms including medical facilities, counselling, staff training, and family contact; and documentation of children's deaths in child care institutions. The Court stressed that prisons must adopt reformation principles and ensure human dignity, or Article 21 remains meaningless."

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