The Supreme Court of India has said that prisoners, including those with disabilities, do not have a fundamental right to demand preferred or costly food in jails. The court made this decision while hearing a case related to the treatment of a disabled prisoner.

A bench of Justices J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan said that Article 21 of the Constitution, which gives the right to life, applies to all prisoners, but this does not mean they can ask for luxurious or special food in jail.

“Mere non-supply of preferred or costly food items cannot ipso facto be treated as a violation of fundamental rights... The State’s obligation is to ensure that every inmate, including those with disabilities, receives adequate, nutritious, and medically appropriate food, subject to medical certification,” the bench said.

Case of advocate with disability brings focus on jail conditions

The court gave this decision in a case filed by advocate L. Muruganantham, who suffers from Becker muscular dystrophy. He was sent to jail because of a land dispute his family was involved in. During his time in jail, he said he was not given medical care and was denied protein-rich food like eggs, chicken, and nuts every day.

The Madras High Court had ordered a compensation of ₹5 lakh to him, but Muruganantham filed an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The top court said that although the prison authorities might not be directly responsible for the poor conditions, the case shows that India needs urgent prison reforms, especially to meet the needs of disabled prisoners.

“Prisons are often regarded as the 'tail-end' of the criminal justice system—historically designed for rigid discipline, harsh conditions, and minimal liberties... the current prison infrastructure and operational systems in India remain grossly inadequate—especially when it comes to meeting the needs of prisoners with disabilities,” the court said.

The court also said that prisons are correctional institutions and not meant to offer the same comforts as outside society. It said not providing non-essential or fancy items does not violate rights unless it seriously harms a prisoner’s health or dignity.

However, the court strongly reminded jail authorities that disabled prisoners must receive the same healthcare as others in the general public. This includes access to:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Psychiatric care
  • Assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches, or hearing aids

“Prison authorities are under a duty to coordinate with public healthcare systems to ensure uninterrupted care. Logistical or financial limitations cannot be cited to justify a withdrawal of this obligation,” the court added.

It also criticised most state prison manuals as “outdated” and said they do not understand modern disability rights. Often, these manuals confuse physical disabilities with mental illness, which leads to discrimination and denial of proper care.

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