In Brief
A physically challenged advocate with Becker Muscular Dystrophy was falsely arrested in a property dispute and incarcerated for ten days without appropriate disability accommodations. The High Court enhanced compensation from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh. The Supreme Court upheld this compensation as fair but issued groundbreaking systemic directions to all Tamil Nadu prisons. The Court found that incarcerated persons with disabilities face severe structural barriers and are among the most vulnerable groups in the justice system. It mandated immediate and time-bound compliance with comprehensive disability-inclusive reforms: prompt identification of disabled prisoners, universal accessibility (ramps, accessible toilets, sensory-safe spaces), community-equivalent healthcare, staff training, access audits within six months, amended prison manuals, disaggregated data collection, and monitoring committees. These directions are grounded in constitutional Articles 14 and 21, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, and international UN conventions.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.