Ahead of the unveiling of Budget 2023 this evening, Suaram has urged the government to increase allocation to improve lockup conditions, in order to prevent future instances of custodial deaths.

In making the call, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy noted that currently, lock-ups in prison and detention facilities are overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and have unhygienic toilets and cell areas.

"This not only increases the vulnerability of all detainees and enforcement officers to diseases, especially those that are air-borne, but also exacerbates the health conditions of detainees...