Tihar jail stares at HIV scare

[Guest guest]

Hindustan Times 25/9/05

Tihar jail stares at HIV scare

NAZIYA Alvi New Delhi, September 24

WILL AIDS soon become a problem for Tihar officials? The jail has 20 inmates who

are HIV-positive. Two have progressed to AIDS. With sodomy rampant in its

overcrowded cells, there is a clear and present danger of HIV spreading.

Officials in private admit that sodomy is widespread but they don't see this as

a " serious threat " . A medical team that inspected health conditions in the jail

a few years back reported a high incidence of sodomy in the wards. The team then

recommended that condoms be made available for the inmates to prevent

transmission of HIV. The idea of supplying condoms to inmates however 'Was

rejected by the authorities on the grounds that Section 377 of IPC makes

homosexuality illegal and distributing condoms would go against it.

The NGOs that work for prevention of HIV-AIDS and wanted distribution of condoms

in these jails ended up challenging section 377 of IPC. The PIL was disposed by

the High court.

" Nobody can deny the fact that sodomy takes place the jail. The precautions to

prevent spreading of HIV are extremely important. In foreign countries where

homosexuality is legal, inmates can demand condoms from the authorities, " said

Rajat Mitra, director, Swan Chetan, an NGO that deals with mental health issues.

Tihar till date doesn't mandatorily checks inmates for HIV status, although

prisoners undergo a routine medical check-up. " We keep HIV positive inmates

separate from the non HIV ones, " said Sunil Gupta, PRO, Tihar Jail. " Tihar, has

a capacity of 3,500 inmates at present but it shelters over 13,OOO prisoners.

Prisoners share blankets. Its difficult for a warden to find out what is

happening inside it " , said an official.