The High Court in Mumbai sounds the alarm bell after a series of suspected cases in which Muslims and Dalits have died. For human rights activist Arun Ferreira, this problem is the result of "bias against them." In his view, "Life in prison is devoid of dignity."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Only members of minority communities die in the prisons of the Indian State of Maharashtra, particularly Muslims and Dalits.

A series of cases that seem to confirm this trend have pushed the High Court in Mumbai to sound the alarm bell.

The court expressed its concern by appointed a lawyer, Yug Chaudhry, as amicus curiae in a case involving a young 23-year-old man who died in mysterious circumstances in prison in Thane.

Recently, the court also asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate two cases of custodial deaths. One occurred last April in Wadala, the second in December 2012 in Dharavi.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, between 1999 and 2013, 1,418 people died in Indian prisons, 23 per cent in Maharashtra alone. During the 15 years under review, the state often topped the list.

AsiaNews spoke to Arun Ferreira, activist for the rights of Dalits and Tribals. Jailed for four years on false charges, he was repeatedly tortured in prison.

"That most deaths in judicial custody are from minority communities is evidence that they are victims of bias," the activist said.

"This is clear when riots take place because the state favours the majority community. Or when, in the fight against the expropriation, Tribals are targeted."

Another sign of this bias, Ferreira told AsiaNews, "is that prisons around the country are filled with minorities. It is more urgent than ever that such prisoners and people accused awaiting trial be treated as human beings. Life in prison is devoid of dignity." (NC)

• india
• maharashtra
• prisons
• minorities
• dalits
• muslims
• tribals