The Delhi High Court in the case Sohrab v. State (Govt of NCT of Delhi) and Anr observed and has asked the Delhi Government for filing the status report on why facility of e-mulakat should not be extended to all prisoners whose relatives stay outside Delhi and must travel to the capital for purposes of mulakat.
The bench headed by Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing the present matter.
The court made the said observations wherein it has been prayed by the petitioner for direction to the State that he be allowed two e-mulakat every week with his family, so he could tend to his ailing mother and maintain social ties.
The court also referred to the case Natasha Narwal v. State of NCT Delhi (Pinjra Tod activist’s case), wherein the petitioner seeks the direction to be allowed 5 minutes of tele-calling every day.
Therefore, the court observed that he made a representation wherein seeking the benefit of e-mulakat in May, 2023, mentioning that his only relatives in the world were his wife and mother, who were ill and did not stay in Delhi.
The counsel appearing for the State submitted before the court that the petitioner’s representation would be decided within 3 weeks.
The bench of Justice Prasad in the case observed and deemed fit to direct that a report be filed stating why facility of e-mulakat shall not be extended to other similarly placed prisoners.
The court stated that the -mulakat facility was introduced in Delhi Prisons during Covid-19 era, when physical mulakat had to be stopped.
It has been stated that as per the Circular dated 26.12.2022 which is issued by AIG (Prisons) with the approval of DG (Prisons), the facility was found very helpful in case of jail inmates whose relatives lived faraway in the country.
Further, it was decided to be continued in respect of prisoners lodged in Delhi Prisons, which is subject to the instructions outlined in the Circular and it is pertinent that an exception was carved out in respect of foreign inmates involved in terrorist activities, offences against the State.
The court stated that as per the National Prison Information Portal, 69192 visits in Delhi Prisons have been completed through video conferencing in the period between 26.12.2022 i.e., the date of issuance of the above-mentioned Circular and the November 22, 2023.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on November 29, 2023.
The counsel, Advocates Mr. Ashok Aagrwaal and Mr. Dhruv Sharma appeared for the petitioner.
The counsel, Advocates Mr. Abhijit Shankar, Law Officer (Central Jail No.3, Tihar) represented the respondent.