The Bombay High Court on Saturday issued a show cause notice to the state government seeking a reply on why it is not paying compensation to prisoners languishing in jail for petty offences. A Division Bench of Justice J N Patel and Justice Amjad Sayed urged the state to pay Rs 5000 per day to the prisoners who are unable to secure bail due to financial constraints. Public Prosecutor P A Pol submitted that the state would come up with some solution so that such instances can be prevented in the future. He also informed that it would soon issue circular to police stations and jail authorities in this regard. Advocate Yug Chaudhary,who was appointed as amicus curiae (friend of court),had earlier told the court that some of these offences are as frivolous as singing on streets,in which case a person can be let off after collecting a fine of Rs 100 from him Pol also said almost all persons detained for petty offences have been released. The cases of illegal detention came to light following a bail plea filed by an accused,Shivaji Gawade-Patil,in February 2009. The court was informed that there were many such accused who were not released even after securing bail as they could not furnish a bond. The court had earlier directed the state to decide the amount of interim compensation. Pol had informed the court that a meeting was held at Mantralaya last week and the government might take some decision on the compensation. Justice Patel had remarked that the police feel they are masters and therefore they have the right to pick up any citizen and put them behind bars. The case will come up for hearing on January 14.
