The Bombay High Court has taken a significant step to address the alleged water shortage issue faced by inmates at Taloja Central Prison in Maharashtra. Responding to a petition filed by an inmate, Abhay Kurundkar, who highlighted the insufficient water supply, the court ordered an inspection of the jail premises on June 17.

In an unexpected twist, the authorities claimed that prisoners were receiving approximately 10 buckets of water daily. However, the petitioner's counsel contradicted this assertion, stating that inmates were only allocated 1.5 buckets of water for the entire day.

To ascertain the truth, Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse instructed the Secretary of the Raigad district legal services authority (DLSA) to visit Taloja Jail. The secretary's responsibilities included verifying the water supply, inspecting the functionality and cleanliness of the wells and water tanks, and assessing the possibility of rainwater harvesting.

The order emphasized the need for the secretary to directly interact with the inmates to gather first-hand information about the water supply and the quality of the provided water. These efforts aim to address the concerns raised by the petitioner and ensure that the inmates' water requirements are adequately met.

Previously, the court had directed both the State and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) to provide updates on the situation. In response, a report was submitted stating that an additional 3 lakh liters of water were necessary to fulfill the inmates' needs.

According to the State, Taloja Jail possesses two functional wells on its premises. However, the petitioner's counsel refuted the claim that inmates were receiving 10 buckets of water daily.

The court's decision to dispatch the DLSA secretary for an on-site inspection intends to verify the conflicting claims and bring transparency to the matter. The case is scheduled to be heard next on June 22, when the court will review the findings of the investigation.

This high-level intervention by the Bombay High Court showcases its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of prisoners, ensuring that adequate water supply is provided to Taloja Jail inmates.