Sunil Batra v Delhi Administration
Supreme Court of IndiaAIR 1978 SC 1675 and AIR 1980 SC 1579Bench: V.R. Krishna Iyer J, P.N. Bhagwati J, D.A. Desai J (1978); same bench (1980)
Prisoners retain fundamental rights including Article 21. Incarceration does not strip a person of their humanity. Solitary confinement must not be imposed as a matter of routine — only for compelling reasons. Prison authorities cannot subject prisoners to torture. Courts can exercise habeas corpus jurisdiction through a prisoner's letter.