In a significant step toward strengthening the rights and dignity of prisoners with disabilities, the Supreme Court has directed all States and Union Territories to implement a comprehensive, disability-inclusive framework across their prison systems. A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the directions while hearing a PIL filed by Sathyan Naravoor seeking adequate facilities and a proper legal regime for inmates with disabilities.

The Court noted that many of the concerns raised in the petition had already been addressed in L. Muruganantham v. State of Tamil Nadu, where extensive guidelines were framed for Tamil Nadu prisons. Observing that these safeguards must apply nationwide, the Bench formally extended the Muruganantham directives to all States and UT

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