Jammu Tawi, March 11 -- The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to respond to a petition seeking improved facilities for disabled prisoners and the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, across prisons in India. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Union of India and other concerned parties on the plea filed by activist Sathyan Naravoor, requesting a response within four weeks.

The plea highlights the severe neglect faced by disabled prisoners, citing the cases of professor G.N. Saibaba and activist Stan Swamy to underscore the issue. The petition urges that provisions addressing the special needs of disabled inmates be incorporated into the existing Prisons Act.

Saibaba,...