Tue Dec 17 17:19:25 UTC 2024: ## Bombay High Court Orders Review of Treatment for Terminally Ill Prisoners
**Mumbai, December 17, 2024** – The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to fully implement a 2010 Union Government advisory regarding the treatment of terminally ill prisoners following a visit to Yerwada Central Prison in Pune. The order comes after a hearing on a petition filed by Arun Bhelke, whose wife died in prison after her applications for medical bail were rejected despite a terminal illness diagnosis.
The court, comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, inspected conditions at Yerwada, paying particular attention to the welfare of women inmates. They ordered the state to submit a detailed affidavit outlining steps taken to address concerns about prisoner mental health and the implementation of the advisory, which allows for bail, parole, furlough, house arrest, or family custody for terminally ill prisoners. The advisory also permits special medical care within the prison if necessary.
Bhelke’s petition highlighted the inadequacy of the system, citing his wife’s death after her medical bail requests were denied. His legal team argued that existing prison rules allow for the release of terminally ill convicts into the care of their families.
While the state government reported plans for an in-house prison hospital and laboratory, the court expressed concern that prisoners might not readily disclose mental health issues to in-house psychiatrists. They instructed the state to arrange for outside psychiatric consultations. The case will resume in January 2025.
First Piper 