New Delhi
The Delhi High Court has instructed the Delhi government to provide a status report addressing the potential extension of the e-mulaqat facility to prisoners whose relatives reside outside the national capital. The court heard a petition requesting permission for two e-mulaqat sessions per week to attend to an ailing mother and maintain social connections. The petitioner, who first sought e-mulaqat benefits in May 2023, highlighted the health issues of his wife and mother residing outside Delhi. The e-mulaqat facility was initially introduced in Delhi Prisons during the Covid-19 pandemic when physical meetings were suspended. An exception was made for foreign inmates involved in terrorist activities or offences against the state. Referring to the precedent set in the Natasha Narwal v. State of NCT Delhi case, the petitioner also requested a daily 5-minute tele-calling allowance. While the state’s counsel promised a decision on the representation within three weeks, Justice Prasad directed the filing of a report explaining why the e-mulaqat facility should not be extended to similarly situated prisoners. The case is set for further hearing on November 29.
