Supreme Court directs panel to formulate plan for disabled-friendly prisons

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 21, 2026) asked a high-powered committee, tasked to streamline and improve open correctional institutions across the country, to expand its ambit and formulate a comprehensive plan to make prisons disabled-friendly while taking into consideration security requirements. The panel is chaired by former Supreme Court judge, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat.

“The rights of prisoners with disabilities must be recognised and effectuated in a manner that accords with a humane, rights-based approach, ensuring that incarceration does not, in any manner, dilute or abridge the fundamental protections enshrined under Articles 14 [right to equal treatment] and 21 [right to dignified life] of the Constitution,” a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed in an order.