SC approves 300-bed Hospital on Sanganer Jail land

Jaipur: The Supreme Court has paved the way for the long-awaited construction of a 300-bed satellite hospital on the land of Sanganer Open Jail Premises. The decision also brings closure to a contempt case filed against the state’s chief secretary, who has now been discharged from the proceedings. 

Located in Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's constituency, the hospital will be built under strict conditions to ensure that inmates are relocated to upgraded facilities before any part of the existing jail is demolished.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine Masih, passed the order while hearing a contempt petition filed by activist Prasun Goswami. He had accused the state government of violating the apex court’s earlier order dated April 17, 2024, by reallocating jail land for hospital construction, allegedly reducing the area designated for inmates.

Representing the state, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma appeared before the court.

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According to TOI, "We have taken a considered decision to accept all recommendations made by the registrar. The new structures for inmates would be constructed across the entire relocated and enhanced area, and only thereafter would the existing jail buildings be vacated. The hospital construction would commence in a phased manner without affecting the current living conditions of the inmates," Sharma assured the court.

In its order dated November 25, 2024, the Supreme Court directed its registrar to carry out a site inspection and submit a feasibility report regarding the proposed relocation. The case emerged after the state government, following the court’s earlier directions, proposed expanding the area for relocating the Sanganer Open Air Jail by an additional 14,940 sq m, supplementing the already allotted 17,800 sq m.

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The registrar’s report provided a comprehensive blueprint for balancing infrastructure development with prisoner welfare. According to news reports, it was recommended that the existing 17,800 sq m area, along with an additional 14,940 sq m, be fully utilized for the construction of new jail facilities. The remaining 22,232 sq m of land could then be allocated for the proposed 300-bed hospital.

The Supreme Court has now directed the Rajasthan government to submit an affidavit of undertaking, binding itself to the registrar’s recommendations for both the open-air jail and the hospital development.