The Supreme Court has directed that prison authorities who abuse disabled inmates will be punished under the Right to Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ordered all States and union territories to update prison rules to provide assistive devices, specialised medical care, and better visitation rights for disabled prisoners. The court stressed prisoners must have "meaningful access to inclusive education" and "no inmate shall be deprived of the opportunity to pursue educational programmes solely on account of disability." This landmark order extends full RPwD protections to disabled inmates, ensuring they can perform daily activities with dignity without compromising safety. The ruling follows a petition about harsh prison conditions faced by disabled activists Professor G. Saibaba, who died due to poor health in detention, and the late Stan Swamy, who was denied basic aids like a sipper cup. The court noted disabled prisoners are punished twice: once for their crime and again for their disability. Many prison manuals lack ramps and accessibility features. Disabled inmates often receive the same treatment as others, affecting their mobility and care. Officials found guilty of violating the RPwD Act face fines starting at ₹10,000 for a first offence, rising to between ₹50,000 and ₹5 lakh for repeat abuse. States must report on proposed mechanisms to supply assistive devices regularly. Enhanced visitation rights must also be ensured. The court extended directions from the 2025 L. Muruganantham case in Tamil Nadu to all of India’s prisons. New orders also include complaint systems for neglect, prompt disability identification on admission, wheelchair-friendly spaces, accessible toilets, ramps, sensory-safe environments, therapeutic services, and periodic accessibility audits in line with the 2021 Harmonised Guidelines for Universal Accessibility. This order, published December 6, 2025, marks a major step towards protecting disabled prisoners’ rights and dignity in Indian jails.