The Gauhati High Court has directed the Secretary to the Home Department, Government of Mizoram, to file an additional affidavit, informing the High Court as to what steps has been taken by the Union of India, Ministry of Home Affairs and also the Home Department, Mizoram, pursuant to the Detail Project Report (DPR) for upgradation and renovation of jail in each district in Mizoram.
The Aizawl Division Bench of Justice Nelson Sailo and Justice Marli Vankung heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Zofa Welfare Organization (ZWO), seeking for a direction to the respondents to repair/renovate the infrastructure of jail in each districts in the State of Mizoram and to induct modern technology, methods and apparatus.
It is the further prayer of the petitioner for a direction to the State Government for effective implementation of State Advisory Board and Prison Development Board and to implement the Mizoram Prison Manual, 2017 without further delay.
The State respondents have filed their counter affidavit on 20.09.2022 wherein it has been stated that the State Government has sent a detail project report for upgradation and renovation of Central Jail, Aizawl and construction of District Jail at Siaha, Champhai and Lunglei to the Ministry of Home Affairs for funding the project for vide their letter dated 17.11.2021.
However, the Bench observed that there was no statement in the affidavit throwing light to the fate of the said communication dated 17.11.2021.
The petitioner in his reply affidavit filed on 21.10.2022 has stated that information regarding the submission of DPR to the Central Government on 17.11.2021 and other details have been sought from the Planning and Programme Implementation Department by filing an application under RTI on 21.10.2022 and that a reply to the application is being awaited.
In view of the statement made by the State respondents in their affidavit-in opposition as referred, the High Court directed the Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Home Department, to file an additional affidavit informing the Court as to what steps has been taken by the Union of India, Ministry of Home Affairs and also the Home Department, Government of Mizoram pursuant to the DPR which was submitted vide letter dated 17.11.2021.