New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS): The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the central and Delhi governments on the deplorable conditions of undertrial prisoners, including women, in Tihar Jail here.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S Endlaw asked for responses by March 5.

The bench took suo motu cognizance of the issue after the Supreme Court asked it to decide the matter.

The bench tagged this case along with similar issues pending before it.

The apex court had heard a PIL drawing the court's attention to the scheduled tribe prisoners all over the country and particularly the condition of women among them.

The apex court in November 2014 sent reference to high court to decide the issue of Delhi. The high court has been dealing with two PILs relating to ensuring minimum human rights to inmates of Tihar Jail.

Due to a large number of undertrials cramped in unhygienic conditions, they are being affected by numerous diseases in the jail premises, the bench was earlier informed.

Tuberculosis and other contagious diseases like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, typhoid are common in Tihar jail premises, the PILs has revealed.