The Supreme Courttoday said it would constitute a committee under the chairmanship of a retiredSupreme Court judge to look into problems in jails, including overcrowding. TheCommittee will also suggest measures to deal with the problems.
The apex court saidthe committee for prison reforms would also have two or three officials fromthe government of India to look into the issues, including that of womenprisoners languishing in jails across the country. The bench has fixed thematter for hearing on the 17th of this month.
A bench comprisingJustices M B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta expressed its displeasurethat the government has collected a huge amount under the orders of the apexcourt but the funds are not being utilised properly. The court washearing a matter relating to inhuman conditions prevailing in 1,382 prisonsacross the country.