Why are prison inmates not allowed to video call families abroad? Delhi High Court seeks explanation, directs presence of prison official

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed a prison officer to be present before Court to explain why prison inmates are not being allowed to video call their families abroad, after the issue was flagged in a writ petition moved by Pinjra Tod members, Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita (Natasha Narwal and anr v State of NCT of Delhi)..Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Adit S Pujari today told Justice Rekha Palli that they have detailed several larger issues in their petition concerning the welfare of prisoners, that require permanent solutions and in respect of which the Court can do something. .These included issues pertaining to diet, the way punishments are awarded and the fact that foreign inmates are not being allowed to video call their families, Puhari submitted. .The Court, in turn, raised questions as to why the prison authorities are not allowing the foreign inmates to make video calls to families abroad when phone calls have been allowed for inmates since 2017..Standing counsel for the Delhi government, advocate Gautam Narayan responded that despite his best efforts, the prison authorities were adamant that no video calls should be allowed on account of security concerns. However, the authorities were not forthcoming as to what these security concerns were, he added. ."Ladyship they are adamant, despite my repeated requests," Narayan submitted.."See, If you don't want to do, I will not force it. I understand Court has limits on how far it can interfere, but give us some reason," Justice Palli said. .Agreeing that in a writ petition, some plausible explanation has to be given for the decision taken by the prison authorities, Narayan suggested that the prison authorities can be present in Court during the next hearing so that they may explain their stand.."I understand Ladyship, there can't be a bald statement, that we will not allow, I'll bring the prison authority on the next date," he said. .In its order, the Court took on record the status reports filed in the matter by the authorities detailing several progressive measures already taken through which several grievances of the formerly jailed petitioners stood addressed. .However, there were some surviving grievances that need redressal, the Court further recorded. Justice Palli proceeded to allow the petitioners time to file their rejoinder so as to enable the Court to see if the surviving grievances can be resolved by the Court. .An officer from prison who is conversant with facts of the case will join the proceedings through video conferencing, the Court added in its order. The matter will be heard next on September 10. .Earlier, the High Court had allowed the petitioners, Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, access to private therapists of their choice, at their own expense while they were in jail, following their arrest in the Delhi Riots cases. Both petitioners were released on bail following a Delhi High Court order passed in June. .Inmates should have access to private therapist of their choice: Delhi High Court in pleas filed by Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita.The issue of foreign inmates being barred from making video calls were raised in an earlier hearing as well, when advocate Pujari told the Court that the present system disallows anyone outside India from accessing the website being used for video conferencing mulaqats (meets). .The issue was highlighted as it had served as an impediment to Kalita (who was in jail at the time), whose husband resides outside India. Pujari had also brought to the Court's attention to the fact that there are other foreign inmates in Tihar who are unable to talk to their families back home because of this restriction.