Question : CAPACITY OF TIHAR JAIL

(a) whether Delhi High Court has given notice on the Union/Delhi Government/Tihar Jail Authorities over the condition of Tihar Jail as reported in the Nav Bharat Times dated 26.2.03;

(b) if so, the facts and details in this regard;

(c) the capacity of all the six prisons in Tihar Jail to accommodate the prisoners;

(d) the number of prisoners lodged in these prisons at present;

(e) whether prisoners lodged in these prisons are more than their capacity;

(f) if so, justification therefor;

(g) whether the Government propose to construct more jails in Delhi; and

(h) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (SHRI HARIN PATHAK)

(a)to(h): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.442 FOR ANSWER ON 22.4.2003.

(a)&b): Yes, Sir. A Criminal Writ Petition has been filed in the High Court of Delhi seeking its intervention for issuance of writ of mandamus or any other writ to alleviate the hardships of the prisoners lodged in Central Jail, Tihar. A reply on behalf of the respondents has been filed in the Hon`ble Court and the matter is sub-judice.

(c)to(f): The number of prisoners lodged in Tihar Jails as on 15th April, 2003 was 12,586 as against the sanctioned capacity of 3637 priosoners.

(g)&(h): Yes, Sir. There are four additional jails, three within the premises of Central Jail, Tihar and the fourth at Rohini, under construction at present. It is also envisaged to construct a new Jail Complex consisting of six jails at Mandoli.