Ranchi, Oct 8 The high court on Thursday issued show-cause notices to the secretaries of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and the state home department for alleged non-compliance with its directions to fill vacant posts in jails.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad directed the two secretaries to file their replies within a week, explaining why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
The matter will be heard next on October 26.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation concerning the condition of inmates in Jharkhand's jails and implementation of the Model Prison Manual in compliance with Supreme Court directions.
During the hearing, the HC was informed that around 81 per cent of sanctioned posts at various levels in jails across the state remained vacant, affecting prison administration.
The court had earlier directed the state government and the JSSC to complete the process of filling the vacant posts within six months. The deadline was granted on April 1.
The state government on Thursday sought an additional six weeks to comply with the directions. The bench, however, rejected the request and declined to grant any further extension.
Counsel for the JSSC informed the court that the commission had sought requisitions from the government for appointments to various posts, including assistants, jailers, warders, and medical and nursing staff.
The counsel submitted that the commission could not proceed with the appointments as the government had not provided the required list of candidates.
Taking note of the delay in complying with its earlier directions, the High Court issued the show-cause notices to the two secretaries.
