1. Writ petition under Article 32 seeking directions to ensure free legal aid to prison inmates and decongest overcrowded prisons. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 )
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SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
B.R. Gavai, K.V. Viswanathan, JJ
Suhas Chakma – Appellant
Versus
Union Of India – Respondent
WRIT PETITION NO. 1082 OF 2020
1. Writ petition under Article 32 seeking directions to ensure free legal aid to prison inmates and decongest overcrowded prisons. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 )
2. Disposed of with directions to NALSA, SLSAs, DLSAs, and High Courts to strengthen legal aid mechanisms for prisoners. (Para 34 )
Yes, free legal aid is a fundamental right under Article 21; courts must inform accused of this right and provide legal services at state expense. (Para 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 )
PLACs ensure legal representation, bridge information gaps, and facilitate communication; UTRCs recommend release of eligible undertrial prisoners under specified categories. (Para 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 22 , 23 )
Legal aid must be effective and meaningful, not nominal; the defence counsel must defend diligently to ensure a fair trial under Articles 21 and 22. (Para 33 )
J U D G M E N T
K.V. Viswanathan, J.
Brief Facts:
1. The present Writ Petition, under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, was filed primarily for issuance an appropriate Writ, Order or direction directing the respondents Union of India, States and the Union Territories to ensure that no prisoner is subjected to torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment because of living in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions in jail. It also espouses the Signature Not Verified Digitally scignead buy se that all persons deprived of their liberty are entitled to be treated ARJUN BISHT Date: 2024.10.23
15:50:51 IST Reason:
with humanity, and with respect for the inherent dignity and a prayer was made for creating a permanent mechanism to decongest the overcrowded prisons.
2. When the Writ Petition came up for hearing on 22.04.2024, this Court appointed Shri Vijay Hansaria, learned Senior Advocate as Amicus Curiae. Thereafter, on 09.05.2024, Shri K. Parameshwar, learned Senior Advocate (as Amicus Curiae) and Ms. Rashmi Nandakumar, learned counsel for the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) were requested to assist the Court alongside the already appointed Amicus Curiae. On that day Shri Vijay Hansaria, learned Amicus Curiae tendered to Court the format of a letter to be submitted by the Jail Visiting Lawyers (JVLs) regarding information to convicts on free legal aid. Ms. Rashmi Nandakumar, learned counsel was asked to take instructions from NALSA in this regard. Thereafter, in its order of 17.05.2024, broadly two issues were identified- one pertaining to Open Correctional Institutions and the other with regard to modalities for visitation by lawyers in jail so as to ensure free legal aid to the deserving prison inmates. On 17.05.2024, Ms. Rashmi Nandakumar, learned counsel informed the Court that the format of letter initially handed over by the learned Amicus has been slightly modified in consultation with NALSA and the said modified letter to be filled by the JVLs were taken on record and approved.
3. By a note submitted by learned counsel - Ms. Rashmi Nandakumar on 15.07.2024, it was set out that the letter, as approved in the order of 17.05.2024, was circulated by the NALSA to all the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and a direction was issued to them to collate the data received by JVLs and compile the information as per the format prescribed by NALSA. Details of responses received till 15th July, 2024 were also set out and directions were issued to other States to file their responses. When the matter was taken up on 09.09.2024, a detailed note dated 06.09.2024 was placed on record by Ms. Rashmi Nandakumar, learned counsel on the aspect of access to free legal aid for the deserving prison inmates. This judgment deals with the aspect of access to free legal aid for prison inmates. The issue of “Open Correctional Institutions” will be heard and considered separately by the Court.
4. We have heard Mr. Vijay Hansaria learned Amicus Curiate and Ms. Rashmi Nandakumar, learned counsel. We have considered the detailed note submitted by the NALSA.
Constitutional Goal
5. Article 39-A of the Directive Principles of State Policy which talks of equal justice and free legal aid reads as under:
39-A. Equal justice and free legal aid.-
The State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
Relevant Judicial Pronouncements
6. This Court in Hussainara Khatoon and Others (IV) v. Home Secretary, State of Bihar, Patna (1980) 1 SCC 98, held as under:
“6. …. It is not uncommon to find that undertrial prisoners who are produced before the Magistrates are unaware of their right to obtain release on bail and on account of their poverty, they are unable to
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