JUDGEMENT
BISWANATH SOMADDER,J. -
(1.)On 11th February, 2021, we had passed the following order:-
'Having heard the learned advocates for the parties and after perusing the report prepared by late amicus curiae dated 02.12.2019 and upon going through the three affidavits affirmed by (i) Shri E. Kharmalki, IAS, Director of Social Welfare, Meghalaya, Shillong on 27.02.2020, (ii) Shri Tangseng G. Momin, Joint Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Health and Family Welfare Department, Meghalaya and (iii) Smti. A. Nikhla, MCS, Inspector General of Prisons, Meghalaya on 03.03.2020, we are of the view that before disposal of this Public Interest Litigation, the Inspector General of Prisons, Meghalaya may be directed to intimate this Court through the learned advocate for the State by way of a report as to what steps the Correctional Home authorities of Shillong have taken at present for the purpose of segregating those inmates who have mental health issues. This clarification is required since in paragraph-4 of the affidavit affirmed by the Inspector General of Prisons, Meghalaya, it has been specifically stated that the construction/expansion work of the Shillong District Jail is expected to be completed in two years time of which one year already lapsed from the date of affirmation of the affidavit.
List this matter on 23rd February, 2021.'
(2.)Learned advocate representing the Inspector General of Prisons, Meghalaya, has obtained clarification to the effect that till such time the construction/expansion work of the Shillong District Jail is completed, the inmates who have mental health issues will be looked after by the mental health experts in the district jail and in the event of aggravated mental health issues, they will be looked after by the Meghalaya Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Science (MIMHANS), Shillong.
(3.)We are satisfied with the clarification that has been put forth by the learned advocate representing the Inspector General of Prisons, Meghalaya. We, however, hope that the construction/expansion work of the Shillong district jail is completed as expeditiously as possible so that the inmates of the jail, who have mental health issues can be properly looked after by mental health experts once the construction/expansion work is completed.
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