Supreme Court Petition Demands Structural Reforms in Nepal's Prisons and Detention Centers
Summary
A public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court seeks sweeping reforms in Nepal’s prisons, police detention centers and child reform homes over dire and unsafe conditions. The petition demands health check-ups, suicide prevention protocols, transparent death investigations and an integrated digital record system for all detainees and inmates.
Key Points
- Advocate Kumar Prasad Thapaliya filed a public interest petition in the Supreme Court seeking structural reforms in prisons, detention centers and child reform homes.
- The petition asks for specialist health checks, suicide prevention measures, compensation for families and an end to the use of inmates as Naike and Chowkidar.
- It cites data alleging 21 custodial deaths and 275 prison deaths between 2021 and 2025, many of them suspicious.
- The petition also seeks an independent investigation mechanism under the Minnesota Protocol and a nationwide digital record system for detainees.
