Panipat, January 19
Hon’ble Justice Lalit Batra, Chairman of the Haryana Human Rights Commission, inspected the District Jail, Panipat, on Monday and issued necessary directions concerning the human rights, health, education, and rehabilitation of inmates.
Upon his arrival at the jail परिसर, inmates welcomed the Chairman with flower garlands, while a police contingent accorded him a guard of honour. Earlier, on reaching the PWD Rest House, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Pankaj and SDM Mandeep welcomed him by presenting bouquets.
ADC Dr. Pankaj informed that, as per his directions, the Constitution has been displayed in night shelters, and SDM Mandeep Kumar had recently inspected several night shelters where blankets were also distributed.
After the inspection, the Hon’ble Chairman held a review meeting with officers of the concerned departments and stated that prisons should not merely be places of punishment but centres of reform and rehabilitation. “Prisoners are also a part of our society. If they are provided with education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, they can return to the mainstream with dignity,” he said.
He directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Ms. Varsha Sharma, to ensure regular monitoring of all shelter homes and old-age homes. He also instructed the concerned departments to ensure the availability of basic facilities in all night shelters.
The Chairman observed that inmates could be engaged in making dual desks for school-going children, which would provide them an opportunity to become self-reliant. He further directed the Director General of Health Services to ensure the regular posting of doctors in the jail for at least one year.
Justice Batra also inspected the women’s ward, interacted with women inmates, enquired about their well-being, and listened to their problems. On the request of one woman inmate, he facilitated a resolution through video conferencing with officials of Pehowa Jail. During the inspection, he reviewed the women’s ward, classrooms, jail kitchen, crèche, carpet section, and other departments.
On this occasion, apart from Hon’ble Justice Lalit Batra, Chairman, Haryana Human Rights Commission, the Commission Members Mr. Kuldeep Jain and Mr. Deep Bhatia were present, along with Mr. Sanjay Kumar Khanduja, Registrar; Dr. Puneet Arora, Assistant Registrar; Dr. Vijay Malik; Dr. Sandeep Kumar, Civil Surgeon; the Jail Superintendent; Advocates Rajesh and Deepali; and other administrative and departmental officers.
Facilities at District Jail, Panipat:
District Jail, Panipat is located on National Highway-44A in Village Siwah and has a total area of 47 acres and 6 marlas. The jail is equipped with a bakery unit, women’s ward with crèche facility, jail radio, modern interview system (intercom-based), Phoenix software, prisoner calling system, video conferencing facility, modern jail kitchen, a 30-bed jail hospital, jail school (through the National Institute of Open Schooling), jail factory, sports and cultural activities, CCTV surveillance, RO drinking water plant, and modern security equipment.
On this occasion, NGO Empower People State Coordinator Mr. Rajendra Prasad discussed special schemes, awareness initiatives, and related issues concerning the welfare of women/girls brought to Haryana as brides after marriages in other states. Para-Olympian Ms. Deepa Malik also met the Commission Chairman, invited him to a programme, and shared various insights with him.
