Writ petition demands appointment of doctors in jail hospitals

A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday seeking a directive on the government to appoint doctors to fill the 120 vacant posts at 68 jail hospitals across the country.

Supreme Court lawyer JR Khan Rabin submitted the petition and prayed to the court to ensure adequate living facilities for the inmates.

According to the petition, only nine doctors are providing treatment to 89,000 inmates in 68 jail hospitals across the country -- while 120 posts are vacant.

“Treatment to inmates is being hampered due to shortage of doctors in jail hospitals,” the lawyer also argued.