Inmates should have access to private therapist of their choice: Delhi High Court in pleas filed by Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita

The Delhi High Court today allowed arrested Pinja Tod members Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita access to private therapists of their choice, at their own expense [ Devangana Kalita v. State, Natasha Narwal v. State ].

. The Bench of Justice Rekha Palli ordered,

"Inmates should also have access to take treatment from a private therapist of their choice, subject to proper verification. The payment of fees, if any, is to be borne by the inmates."

. The activists, arrested in connection with last year's Delhi riots, informed the High Court of issues faced by inmates of Tihar Jail, where they are currently lodged.

. Advocate Adit Pujari, appearing for both Narwal and Kalita, told the Court that the present system disallows anyone outside India from accessing the website being used for video conferencing mulaqats (meets). This served as an impediment to Kalita, whose husband resides outside of India. He argued,

"There is absolutely no reason for the jail authorities to not allow video conferencing mulaqats or virtual meets with foreign nationals. In the event that these non-residents are related to the inmates, the geo-link should be opened for their use."

. He also brought to the Court's attention that there are other foreign inmates in Tihar who are unable to talk to their families back home because of this very restriction.

. Pujari also sought permission for persons in jail to be allowed access to private therapists of their choice, at their own expense. He said that when Narwal, was out on interim bail, she had access to a mental health professional or a therapist.

. Additionally, Pujari also sought inmates' access a computer centre that was being unutilized.

. Appearing on behalf of the State of NCT Delhi, Advocate Gautam Narayan assured the Court that it did not treat the plea as adversarial. While asking for more time to take further instructions on these issues, he said,

"Video conferencing and a private therapist shouldn't be a problem. However, the frequency of the inmates wanting to access computers is being catered to by the existing infrastructure ."

. Justice Palli noted that steps were taken to improve conditions in the jail since the last hearing in the case. Referring to the closure of the computer centre in Tihar Jail, she said,

"Most inmates in cell number 6 have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID so they should be allowed to use the computer centre. The infrastructure should be put to use."

. Advocate Gautam Narayan asked the Court for more time to obtain instructions and to examine the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) report, which recommended that 15 computers would be required at Tihar Jail.

. The matter will be heard next on July 16.

.Pinjra tod member Natasha Narwal alleges violence, lockdown in Tihar Jail; Delhi HC grants time to Jail Authorities to file status report

Inmates should have access to private therapist of their choice: Delhi High Court in pleas filed by Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita

Khadija Khan

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