HC orders surprise checks on jail food quality, allows inmate-led canteen to resume

The Jharkhand High Court has directed district legal services authorities across the state to carry out surprise inspections in jails to verify whether inmates are receiving food as prescribed under the jail manual. The order came during the hearing of Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 961 of 2024, concerning Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi.

A division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai reviewed the food supply arrangements and the selection process of the canteen committee after the Jail Superintendent Sudarshan Murmu and Jailor Laukush Kumar appeared in court. The bench examined the register related to the formation of the committee that will now run the canteen with a majority of inmate representatives.

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The prosecution informed the court that food quality has improved following earlier directions and is now aligned with the jail manual. The bench allowed the canteen to resume operations but made the Jailor accountable for any irregularity detected during inspections by JHALSA or district legal services authorities. The court noted that departmental proceedings will be initiated if violations are found.

The judges instructed the Chairman and Secretary of the Ranchi District Legal Services Authority to conduct a surprise inspection on a non-working day. Similar inspections were ordered for all other districts, with reports to be filed within two weeks.

During the proceedings, the Jailor stated that he had joined the post on 11 November 2025 and that his predecessor, Dewnath Ram, is under suspension pending departmental action. The court asked the state to submit an update on the status of the proceedings and the ongoing inquiry into the alleged conspiracy referred to earlier.

The matter will be heard again on 11 December 2025.