India's 'Superior-Class' Prisoners - The Privileged Inmates Of The Judicial System

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-09-03 09:54:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-04 21:32:13

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 1

---

Who are these 'superior-class' prisoners in Indian jails and what perks do they receive? Are they treated with the same leniency as the wealthy and well-connected?

In India, prisoners classified as "superior class" are afforded certain privileges, raising concerns about a two-tiered justice system that favors the rich and well-connected. It is alleged that these "superior-class" prisoners are given special treatment, differing from the general prison population and it is not just high-profile/political prisoners who are entitled to these privileges.

Those with a university education may be exempted from menial tasks and assigned to teaching, library work, or other duties that utilize their skills. They are also reportedly provided with better-quality food, furniture, and amenities, such as televisions and fans. They are often allowed to wear their own clothes and exempted from harsh labor.

While these privileges may appear trivial, they underscore the exacerbation of inequality in the Indian judicial system, implying that justice is neither blind nor impartial in the country.

The issue gained attention after a directive from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D). These privileges, officially referred to as "concessions," are not defined or regulated by law or any statutory authority. Thus, they are open to arbitrary interpretation and implementation by prison authorities, rendering them subject to abuse and amplifying racial and socio-economic inequalities.

Go!