Maharashtra SHRC Gives Taloja Prison Authorities 2 More Weeks To Explain Frisking, CCTV And Cooking Concerns
Mumbai, August 13, 2026: The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has granted an additional two weeks to the Special Inspector General of Prisons, Pune, to file an affidavit explaining several concerns raised by the commission during its visit to Taloja Central Prison last year. The commission had taken suo motu cognisance of the issues observed during the inspection and sought an…
On August 13, 2026, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has granted a two-week extension to the Special Inspector General of Prisons, Pune, to file an affidavit addressing concerns raised during their visit to Taloja Central Prison. The primary concerns revolve around the frisking procedures for undertrial prisoners, the functionality of the prison's CCTV system, and the qualifications of kitchen staff for preparing inmate meals.
The commission expressed serious concerns over the frisking practices at the prison. According to the commission, the Prison Manual mandates a thorough search of prisoners, which should not entail unclothing them. The commission emphasized that the term "thorough search" should not extend to making prisoners remove their clothes during the frisking process.
This issue has been previously addressed by a criminal court in 2023, which ruled that making undertrials nude during searches violated their fundamental right to privacy. The court directed the use of scanners or electronic devices for personal searches, instead of making undertrials strip and face humiliation.
Shaikh, a former prisoner, shared his firsthand experience of the humiliating searches, stating that prisoners were forced to remove all their clothing in front of prison staff, including women officials. Shaikh questioned the use of advanced scanning equipment at airports, yet its absence in prisons, asking why there was a discrepancy in treatment for individuals entering and leaving prisons.
Shaikh further alleged that prison officials had allegedly touched prisoners' private parts during the frisking process, claiming it as humiliation.
In addition to the frisking concerns, the SHRC also questioned the prison's CCTV surveillance system, requesting clarification on the criteria used to select skilled and experienced kitchen staff. The commission has granted the Special Inspector General of Prisons, Pune, an additional two weeks to submit an affidavit addressing these concerns, which will outline the measures proposed by the prison authorities to rectify the issues raised during the inspection.
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