RAMESH KAUSHIK vs B. L. VIG, SUPERINTENDENT AND ANR.

The Supreme Court held that prison torture falls within its constitutional jurisdiction, emphasizing that allegations of violence and vice in Tihar Jail necessitate judicial intervention to uphold the principles of rehabilitation and deterrence as outlined in Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. The Court asserted that the deprivation of personal liberty must not lead to the degradation of prisoners' fundamental rights, and that the purpose of imprisonment is not to exacerbate criminal behavior but to facilitate reform. The Court allowed the petition, highlighting the need for accountability and humane treatment within the prison system.