Panels to examine security, construction around jails, HC told

The Maharashtra government today informed the Bombay High Court that it proposes to form expert committees to analyse the ongoing and future constructions to be carried out around prisons across the state, and also their possible security threats to the inmates.
A division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and Gautam Patel was hearing a petition filed by Ramesh Upadhyay, an accused in the Malegaon 2008 blast case, raising concerns about existing and under-construction high-rises that pose a security threat to the inmates of Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai.
The court had on the last hearing sought to know from the state government what steps it proposes to take to tackle the issue not only faced outside Taloja jail but all other prisons in the state.

Advocate General Darius Khambata today informed the court that prison security is being looked on par with national security and all measures will be taken to minimise the threats jails and its inmates face.
"For immediate measures an expert committee would be set up to examine the aspect of security around prisons. Another advisory committee, which would be of a permanent nature, comprising Inspector General of Prisons, local civic body commissioner and local police commissioner will also be formed to study future construction projects around prisons," he said.
Planning authorities can be asked to forward all proposals either submitted to them or cleared by them recently for further No Objection Certificate to the state home department, he added.

The court today directed the Principal Secretary of state home and urban development department to file affidavit on these steps proposed by it by October 29.