The Jharkhand High Court has raised significant concerns regarding the health and safety of individuals incarcerated in the state’s prisons, prompted by the diagnosis of an HIV-positive inmate at Dhanbad Jail while in custody. In response, the court has summoned key officials, including the Director of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, the Superintendent of Hazaribagh Central Jail, and the in-charge Medical Officer, requiring their in-person appearance at the subsequent hearing.
Judges questioned the origin of the infection—whether it predated the inmate’s imprisonment or occurred during detention—and whether other prisoners might have been at risk during an undetected period. The court has mandated prison and health authorities to provide comprehensive records of pathological tests conducted over the last six months, specifying the number of inmates screened. The petitioner’s counsel, advocating for medical bail for his 22-year-old client, alleged attempts by authorities to submit incomplete documents and suggested the inmate’s infection could be a consequence of sexual assault within the jail.
Source: indianexpress.com