HC directs voluntary HIV testing in four jails

The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society undertake a voluntary HIV testing programme in four jails, namely, Yerawada (Pune), Amravati, Nashik and Thane.

The programme will comprise counseling too, division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud said.

The reports of the tests will be scrutinised by a committee appointed by the High Court. The committee will forward the report to the High Court along with its recommendations within four weeks, said public prosecutor Satish Borulkar.

The issue of HIV+ jail inmates was taken up by the court while dealing with a bail application of an inmate from Yerawada jail who is also an AIDS patient.