The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories to submit updated data on prison conditions by 18th of May, including sanctioned capacity and steps taken to address overcrowding. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta in a recent order, also sought details on the number of women’s prisons and the facilities available, including measures for the education and welfare of children living with female inmates.

The direction followed submissions by senior advocate Gaurav Agrawal, acting as amicus curiae in a suo motu case on prison conditions, who noted that the existing data was from 2023. The court said the updated information must reflect the position as of the 1st of this month, with detailed jail-wise occupancy figures. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on 26th May.