8 December 2025 Legal Updates

SUPREME COURT ISSUES PAN-INDIA DIRECTIONS TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF DISABLED PRISONERS; SEEKS REPORTS FROM STATES/UTS ON ASSISTIVE AIDS

(a) Case title:

• Sathyan Naravoor v. Union of India and Ors.

(b) Court:

• Supreme Court of India

(c) Bench:

• Justice Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta

(d) Date of decision:

• 2 December 2025

Key Legal Issues

• Whether prison systems across India violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Whether directions from L. Muruganantham v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025) should apply nationally.
• Whether additional safeguards are needed for PwD prisoners.

Supreme Court’s Directions

1. Nationwide Application of L. Muruganantham Guidelines:

All States & UTs must implement the 15-point framework from L. Muruganantham, which includes:

• Identification & declaration of disability at admission.
• Accessible infrastructure (ramps, toilets, sensory-safe spaces).
• Healthcare, therapy, and diet tailored to disability.
• Training for prison staff on disability rights.
• Amendment of State Prison Manuals within 6 months.
• Data collection and monitoring committees.

2. Additional Directions Issued:

• Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Establish accessible, independent complaint systems for PwD inmates.
• Inclusive Education: Ensure PwD prisoners can pursue educational programs with reasonable accommodations.
• Penal Provision: Apply Section 89 of RPwD Act (fines for non-compliance) to prison authorities.
• Assistive Devices: States/UTs to propose a secure system for providing aids (wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.).
• Enhanced Visitation Rights: Prisoners with benchmark disabilities to get increased family visits.

 Compliance & Next Hearing

• All States & UTs must submit a compliance report within 4 months.
• Next listing: 7th April 2026 for review of reports.