The Bombay High Court on Thursday asked the Maharashtra Government to consider publishing the prison and police manuals on its official websites..The Bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale said platforms like social media should be used to make such critical information accessible to public.“Social media should be used for these purposes and not others,” the Court remarked.The public has the right to know what is in the prison manual, the Court underlined.“Why don’t you put up the prison manual on your website? That one no one has. You will upload this within the next 48 hours so that everybody is aware and there is nothing confidential. Otherwise how will they know what’s their right? Everyone has the right to know what’s there in the police manuals,” the Bench remarked.The Court directed the State to take instructions from senior officers on whether there were reasons the manuals have not been published online.The Court made these observations while hearing a petition filed by one Arun Bhelke seeking implementation of the Central government's 2022 advisory for terminally ill and the Maharashtra Prisons (Review of Sentences) Rules..Bhelke was arrested along with his wife Kanchan Nanaware in a 2014 case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). They were lodged at Yerwada Jail. In 2020, Nanaware developed a terminal illness and sought medical bail, which was repeatedly denied by the Sessions Court. Although the High Court eventually referred her to a medical board that recommended a heart and lung transplant, she died in custody in January 2021 before any relief was granted. Senior Advocate Gayatri Singh, appearing for Bhelke, submitted that key provisions concerning prisoner healthcare are laid out in the prison manuals, yet these documents are not available online and remain inaccessible to inmates..The Bench raised serious concerns over the condition of healthcare in Maharashtra’s prisons. “How many doctors are there in Maharashtra jails? What are their qualifications, experience? What are the medicines available—for instance, someone has cancer or needs insulin—are medicines available for them? Do you have requisite funds for it? Because these people can’t miss [treatment],” the Court asked. It further sought information on vacancies for medical posts in prisons..The Court also questioned the availability of emergency transport services. “Do you have ambulances? We need well-equipped ambulances in all jails, so that [inmates] can be carried. If you see the Nina Pillai judgment… there were no ambulances in the jail. Give us details where all in Maharashtra they have ambulances—not just ambulances, but those with facilities. Ultimately, your officers will be held responsible. So whatever you want passed, tell us. Your officers can’t do anything without getting facilities in the prison.”Additional Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde informed the Court that she would take instructions from the concerned departments on all the issues raised.The Court will hear the petition next on April 28.
