Friday, June 30, 2006

Hope for India's remand prisoners

Jaldhar Yadav was arrested and put behind bars in the northern Indian state of Bihar for "wrongfully restraining a person and causing hurt" in the mid-1980s.

Under the Indian Penal Code, these offences can lead to a maximum sentence of one year in prison or a $45 fine or both.

But Yadav, now in his 70s, has been languishing on remand in the state for more than 20 years.

An amendment to existing prison laws, however, promises to come to his help.

Under the provision, inmates must be released if they have served time on remand equal to half the maximum prison tariff for the offence they are to be tried for.

The measure, which came into effect last weekend, does not apply to those charged with offences for which the death sentence is a possible punishment.

Authorities and human rights activists reckon that the law will help speed up justice and free up India's overcrowded prisons.

Jaldhar Yadav is not alone in his misery - 87% of prisoners in Bihar's prisons are on remand awaiting trial.

In the central prison in the town of Bhagalpur, where Yadav is being held, there are some 15 remand prisoners, all above 70 years of age.

Yadav's plight exemplifies the fate of seven out of 10 Indian prisoners - nearly 70% of 322,000 inmates in India's 1,135 prisons are awaiting trial.

This is higher than South Asian neighbours, Bangladesh (67%), Pakistan (66%) and Sri Lanka (49.3%).

India jails 31 people per 100,000 of population, compared with a figure of 145 per 100,000 in England and Wales. But only 17.3% of inmates in England and Wales are on remand. Read full story via bbc news

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Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Life In Slums Of Mumbai

Asia's largest slum, Dharavi, lies on prime property right in the middle of India's financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay).

It is home to more than a million people. Many are second-generation residents, whose parents moved in years ago.

Today's Dharavi bears no resemblance to the fishing village it once was. A city within a city, it is one unending stretch of narrow dirty lanes, open sewers and cramped huts.

In a city where house rents are among the highest in the world, Dharavi provides a cheap and affordable option to those who move to Mumbai to earn their living.

Rents here can be as low as 185 rupees ($4/£2.20) per month. As Dharavi is located between Mumbai's two main suburban rail lines, most people find it convenient for work. Read full story via bbc news

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