DHARMASHASTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY,

Jabalpur (M.P.) 482001

Academic Session (2022-2023)

Criminal Law-I

“Sunil Batra v. Delhi Administration, AIR 1980 SC 1579.”

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Vivek Vibhushan Kol Dr. Sankalp Singh

BALLB/108/21 Assistant Professor

Semester 4th of Law

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project. However it would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of many individuals and organisation. I would like to thank our Vice
Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) V. Nagaraj Sir for awarding us this great opportunity to conduct a
research on a topic that has laid by the foundation for a highly enriching experience. I would like
to extend my sincere thanks to all of them.

I am very much thankful to Dr. Sankalp Singh Sir (Assitant Professor of law) for their guidance
and Constant supervision for providing necessary information regarding the project and also for
their support in completing the project.

I would like to thanks and appreciate my family and my colleague for their kind co-operation
and encouragement in developing the project which help me in completion of this project and
people who have willingly helped me out with their abilities.

Thanking You

Vivek Vibhushan Kol

 1. Chapter I: Introduction 6

2. Chapter II: Facts of Sunil Batra V. Delhi 7

Administration

3. Chapter III: Issues before the Court 9

4. Chapter IV: Arguments related case 10

5. Chapter V: Judgment of the Court 11

6. Chapter VI: Conclusion 12

INTRODUCTION

An important case in Indian law involving the rights and treatment of prisoners in the Indian jail
system was Sunil Batra v. Delhi Administration. The "Habeas Corpus case" refers to the case that
was considered by a division bench of the Supreme Court of India in 1978.
Sunil Batra, the petitioner, was a detainee in Delhi's Tihar Jail awaiting trial. Invoking Article 32 of
the Indian Constitution, he filed a writ petition, alleging that the prison treated him inhumanely and
degradingly. Additionally, the appeal questioned whether some articles of the Indian Penal Code,
1860 and the Prisoners Act, 1894, which permitted this treatment, were constitutional.

According to the Supreme Court's ruling, every prisoner possessed fundamental rights that could not
be violated, regardless of whether they had been found guilty or were awaiting trial. The Court also
established standards for treating inmates, such as prohibiting the use of solitary confinement,
guaranteeing their access to medical care, and informing them of their legal rights.

The Indian Constitution's fundamental rights were violated, according to the court, by the provisions
of the inmates Act and the Indian Penal Code that permitted inhuman and humiliating treatment of
inmates. The government was ordered by the Court to take action to ensure that these provisions
were either abolished or changed.

The Sunil Batra case signalled a significant change in how Indian courts viewed inmates' rights. It
established standards for the treatment of inmates that have been cited in later judgements and
acknowledged that prisoners had a right to fundamental human dignity. The case, which continues to
be a key precedent in this area of law, also underlined the need for jail reforms in India.

Research Question

1) Does Prisoners have dignified life?

2) What impact has the Sunil Batra case had on following cases and rulings?
3) What obstacles must the judiciary overcome in order to implement the rules and directives
established in the Sunil Batra case?
 4) How can the Indian government and jail administration strike a balance between the
demands for both punishment and rehabilitation and reform?
5) Since the Sunil Batra case in 1978, how has the Indian jail system changed, and what steps
have been taken to enhance prison conditions and safeguard inmates' rights?

Research Objective

1) To Consider the prisoner rights in India.

2) To Examine the way prisoners are treated.
3) To Examine the legality of jail regulations.
4) To Provide recommendations regarding how prisoners should be treated.
5) To Provide suggestions for jail reform.

Research Methodology

This research is based on Doctrinal research. The researcher has used secondary data for the
study from the internet also data from published research articles.

Scope of Study

1) Prisoner's fundamental rights.

2) Treatment of Prisoners.
3) Conditions of Detentions.
 4) Prisons Reforms.
5) Constitutionality of Law.

Limitation

1) Lack of enforcement.
2) Lack of focus on Rehabilitations.
3) Limited impact on prisons reforms.
4) Did not provide mechanism for their implementations.
5) Guidelines for prisons may not applied all over India.