Supreme Court Directs State Governments to Implement Key Reforms for E-Prison System
Lexpedia · 16 February 2025 · 2 min read
In a recent landmark order, the Supreme Court of India has directed State Governments to take immediate steps for the implementation of recommendations submitted by amicus curiae Devansh A. Mohta regarding the e-prison project. The Court emphasized the need for enhanced data management and communication between courts and prison authorities to ensure a more efficient and transparent criminal justice system.
Key directives and suggestions include:
- Publication of PTN (Pre-Trial Number): The Court has instructed Trial Courts to begin publishing PTN and FIR details on custody warrants to improve communication between courts and prison authorities. Additionally, Jail IDs should be incorporated into all subsequent communications.
- Collation of CNR (Case Number Record), Jail ID, and PID: The Supreme Court has directed that the CNR, Jail ID, and PID of accused persons must be prominently mentioned in an "information sheet" for all cases filed or pending before the Court. High Courts and Trial Courts have been instructed to ensure that CNR and PTN are included in all communications to prison authorities.
- Technological Integration Proposals: The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has proposed several technological integrations to facilitate better case management: Integration of the e-prison portal with the e-filing portal of the Supreme Court to automatically retrieve Jail ID and PID during filing. Installation of dedicated kiosks in prisons for prisoners to file petitions directly, with their Jail ID being shared with the relevant court. Development of a National Prison Portal that will allow registered advocates-on-record (AOR) to access prisoner records with the consent of the inmate.
- Advocate Access and Consent Mechanism: The Court has also instructed authorities to explore the feasibility of granting AORs access to prisoner records, subject to inmate consent. This would be facilitated through the use of an AOR code and mobile number for authentication.
- Tracking of Cases Without CNR: The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of tracking cases that do not yet have a CNR and ensuring prison authorities are actively involved in the process. This initiative aims to preserve the fundamental rights of prisoners.
- Personnel Deployment and Training: The Court has called for the deployment of personnel and regular training on the operation of the e-prison portal to ensure smooth and efficient functioning of the system.
The Supreme Court has given the Registrar (Judicial) a three-week deadline to report on how these directives can be implemented, while State Governments are expected to file a progress report within a month.
These reforms are poised to revolutionize prisoner management, improve case tracking, and safeguard the human rights of prisoners through the effective use of technology in the criminal justice system.
