Do jails spend Rs 85 for 3 meals for prisoners?: Karnataka HC directs state government to provide information

“Jail authorities are spending only Rs 85 per prisoner on breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no quality food served,” the counsel said, and informed the court that someone had obtained the said data under the Right to Information Act, and he can place it on record.

Arguing against the Karnataka Government’s petition filed challenging the trial court orders directing the prison authorities to provide them home-cooked food once a week, the counsel said, “The Supreme Court in its order, while cancelling bail to actor Darshan and other accused, had said no special treatment be given to the accused, but we are only requesting for basic minimum treatment.”

“The very same order is passed against another accused in another case, and the jail authorities have not challenged it. I will place on record the order of the court on the next date of hearing. It is only when we filed a contempt petition before the trial court that the court order directing the prison authorities to provide us home-cooked food was not followed; they (state government) approached this court.”

He also claimed that an elected representative, who is in jail, has been provided a separate cook by the court, and that order is also not challenged by the prosecution.

Supreme Court order

Additional State Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha refuted the submission and stated that, to date, no such complaint has been filed by any of the accused and asked the counsel to place on record material to substantiate his claims. Jagadeesha also informed the court that, according to the FSSAI report, the food served in prison has been rated four stars for nutrition.

While posting the matter for further hearing Thursday, Justice Nagaprasanna said orally, “You (the counsel for the accused) produce every detail, we will answer everything.”

In the meantime, the court issued an interim order staying the trial court’s order.

While cancelling bail granted to the accused in the present case, the Supreme Court warned of suspending the jail superintendent and prison officials, if special or five-star treatment was given to the accused in the Renukaswamy murder case.

Referring to the same order, Justice Nagaprasanna said, “The concerned court in a complete or blatant ignorance of the Supreme Court order in the very cases of Darshan and other accused, who are facing trial, has now issued a show cause notice to even the state, when food is not granted as directed by the court”.

“While it is true that food can be granted from a house under special circumstances, for which an elaborate procedure is prescribed under the prison rules. All the procedure is given a go by, and an order is passed which runs completely contrary to the order of the apex court.”

“Thus, I deem it appropriate to stay the orders dated 29-12-2025 and 12-01-2026. Issue notice to the respondents to be served through the jail superintendent,” said Justice Nagaprasanna.