The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has raised serious concerns over the treatment of political prisoners, demanding the right to life with dignity for those held in prisons. CASR highlighted the plight of four undertrial prisoners: Amitabh Bagchi (72), Sanjoy Deepak Rao (60), Devender Reddy (66), and Kartam Joga (57), alleging they are being denied basic rights and medical care in custody.
Amitabh Bagchi, held for 14 years in Cherlapally Jail, faces the risk of complete blindness due to untreated glaucoma. Despite medical advice for immediate surgery, prison authorities allegedly withheld his medical reports and restricted his lawyer’s access. CASR noted, “This denial of treatment is nothing short of a slow death penalty.”
Sanjoy Deepak Rao, another undertrial in Cherlapally Jail since 2023, has reportedly been subjected to solitary confinement and denied essential items like shoes and socks. Rao’s letter to the NIA judge stated that prison officials refuse to follow rules, with one official allegedly remarking, “If you don’t follow the constitution, why should we?”
Kartam Joga, held in Chenchalguda Central Prison, is suffering from severe paralysis and mental incapacity, unable to comprehend his surroundings or legal proceedings. CASR criticised the authorities for ignoring his medical needs, calling his imprisonment a violation of human rights.
Meanwhile, Devender Reddy, detained since 2023 in Jagdalpur Central Prison, has reportedly lost vision in one eye and is nearly blind in the other. Despite his condition, requests for magnifiers and basic facilities were denied. CASR remarked, “Even undertrial prisoners are entitled to protection under the law, yet their treatment defies all principles of justice.”
The statement accused the authorities of targeting individuals under the pretext of alleged Maoist affiliations, citing rising instances of dissent being criminalised. CASR argued that such actions violate the fundamental right to life and dignity enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
Drawing parallels with past cases like the late GN. Saibaba, Stan Swamy, and Pandu Narote, CASR condemned the state’s neglect, warning that the inhuman treatment of these prisoners amounts to a slow death penalty. “This is an attempt to dehumanise individuals, reducing them to a state of animal existence,” CASR said.
CASR called upon all democratic organisations and individuals to unite against such practices and intensify efforts for the release of political prisoners. The organisation also demanded immediate medical care for the four undertrials, adherence to prison rules, and humanitarian bail for Devender Reddy.
The Campaign Against State Repression represents a coalition of organisations, including AIRSO, AISA, AISF, APCR, ASA, BAPSA BBAU, Bhim Army, CEM, CRPP, DTF, Fraternity, IAPL, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, SFI, and many others. In their collective voice, they urged, “The struggle for justice must be intensified to ensure dignity and life for all political prisoners.”