Give free legal aid to Punjab jail inmates: SC judge
Justice Dipak Misra, a judge at Supreme Court of Indiacum-executive chairman, National Legal Services Authority, has instructed jail authorities in Punjab to ensure that free legal aid is provided to each inmate.
He was in town to inaugurate the newly-built Punjab State Legal Services Authority Complex in Sector 69. Later, he held a video-conference with jail superintendents of different jails in the state where he emphasises that inmates must be informed about their legal rights.
He also enquired about the total strength (male and female) of inmates lodged in different jails and how many of them were getting free legal aid.
Justice Misra also disclosed that free legal aid was provided in 26,130 cases to the poor and needy in Punjab in 2016. Over 3 lakh cases were disposed through various Lok Adalats and award of Rs 1,078 crore were passed, he said.
Justice Misra also inaugurated the Kanooni Sarthi (Legal Assistance Establishment) at the complex.
“The LAE is a multiple servicesingle point windows for providing facilities for legal aid seekers under one roof and at a single location,” justice Misra said.
He said that this establishment would provide to the beneficiaries some exclusive services which included quick information about their case status pending in any of the districts, legal aid and advice.
Information on various schemes of Nalsa, the central and the state governments will also be given. He added it also has exclusive facilities like dedicated helpline number 1,968 besides videoconferencing.