“Is there a parallel system running in jails? Do they have special rights in jails?” a bench in Supreme Court, consisting Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta, asked on Thursday, referring to the media reports that the Managing Director of Unitech Sanjay Chandra and his brother Ajay Chandra are receiving 5-star treatment in Tihar Jail.

indian-jails-letsdiskuss (Courtesy: IndiaSpend)

Also, slamming the state and central government for failing to provide basic facilities to the jail inmates, the SC bench added, “you people (the government officials) do not realize their problems because you do not go to jail. Go there and see their pathetic living conditions. Tell your people to visit jails and see their problems.”

Several media reports came out last week claiming that the highly influential Chandra Brothers, in violation of the law, have been receiving 5-star facilities, with air conditioner, refrigerator, and television in their cell.

This isn’t really surprising. Over the years, there have been countless reports of such incidents where renowned and influential people receive special treatments in jail. Because they have money power and political connection. Even in the absence of reports, this isn’t difficult to assume. Tihar jail – one of the world’s largest prison complexes, in specific, has been infamous of notorious inmates who are treated specially with extra privileges.

So, it’s true—some people enjoy special rights in Indian prisons. And usually, these are rich people with political connections. Right from getting better food to good mattresses to proper entertainment avenues—they certainly live like they are living in a 3-start hotel, if not the 5-star ones.

Talking on technical terms, aside from “who is the prisoner”, there are a lot of factors that come to play here. For instances, Indian prisons in rural areas aren’t really known to be as strict as the ones in urban areas; one, because they lack the necessary infrastructure and two, they can get away with the carelessness without getting the media attention.

The prison authorities also play a big role in this. Those who are strict and committed do not allow such nuisance. And then there are typical Indian authorities who just do not care about the rules and human rights; you bribe them and can do anything in the prison. I can’t completely recall but only recently there was a report that a prison somewhere in the country would allow the prisoners to go home at night.

In short, to answer your question, (a BIG) YES that some people enjoy special treatments in Indian prisons. And it’s not difficult to guess who these people are.

While on the topic, here are my two recommended readings: Tales from former inmates: What life is like in a women’s jail in India & India's death row prisoners face horrific conditions, study finds