New Delhi, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi High Court has cautioned a jail warden against resorting to unnecessary beating or violence against inmates, observing that such conduct is “absolutely impermissible” and warning that stern action would follow if it is repeated.
A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Dinesh Bhatt made the observations after viewing CCTV footage of an incident inside a jail complex, in which a warden was seen hitting inmates with a danda (thick stick) even after they had dispersed following a quarrel and returned to their respective cells.
In its order, the High Court noted that the footage, recorded on June 26 at around 9.15 a.m., showed a quarrel involving approximately 10-12 inmates in an open area of the jail complex.
Warden Sagar was seen using a danda to hit the inmates to make them disperse, following which they returned to separate cells and rooms.
“After the situation had been controlled, the use of violence and beating was totally unnecessary,” the Bench led by Justice Singh observed.
The court noted that the warden subsequently returned with additional staff members, brought the inmates out of their cells and again began hitting them with the stick.
The High Court described this second instance of beating as “completely unnecessary and uncalled for”, particularly since the inmates had already dispersed and returned to their cells.
“There is no audio accompanying the said footage, and according to the warden, who is present in Court, the inmates were using abusive language while addressing him,” the order stated.
However, the court clarified that even if the inmates had used abusive language, it could not justify beating them with a danda after they had returned to their cells.
“Even if that was so, hitting the inmates with a danda, especially when they had dispersed and had returned to their cells, was unnecessary as none of the inmates was armed when they came out from their respective cells,” the Bench observed.
The High Court also took note of a submission by the Delhi Police that the inmates were reportedly found in possession of a knife and a “suwa” (needle). However, after examining the CCTV footage, the court observed that it did not show the inmates posing any threat to the warden during the second incident.
“Hence, it is reiterated that the use of violence and beating after the situation had been controlled was totally unnecessary,” the order stated.
The Bench specifically cautioned Warden Sagar, making it clear that unnecessary violence against inmates was unacceptable.
“Mr Sagar, the warden, has been cautioned that use of unnecessary beating or violence with inmates cannot be resorted to and is absolutely impermissible,” the order said.
It further warned that the court would not hesitate to take stern action if such conduct was repeated.
Following the court’s observations, Warden Sagar tendered an unconditional apology and expressed regret over his conduct.
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