Dimapur, September 13: Member Secretary of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Ministry of Justice & Law, Government of India, Alok Agarwal, along with NALSA Director, Ms Geetanjli Goel, Legal Aid Counsels and Master Trainers of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority and Panel Lawyers of Dimapur District Legal Services Authority visited Central Jail, Dimapur, and conducted legal awareness interaction session with the inmates.
Interacting with one convicted prisoner lodged in the Central Jail, Dimapur, Alok Agarwal impressed upon the provisions of law on the rights of a convicted prisoner to appeal and urged the empanelled lawyers of legal services to render the required services. Alok further requested the Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) to review the present status for the particular convicted prisoner.
Alok Agarwal further urged the Para Legal Volunteers and the Panel Lawyers attached with the Legal Aid Clinic setup within the Central Jail premises to identify other Under Trial Prisoners, who are in need of legal aid counsel for the cases still pending in the court. Agarwal also notified the prisoners that they have various rights and privileges as guaranteed by the Constitution of India. He asked the legal services authority to ensure prisoners avails the right by submitting on various rights in the courts of law.
Article 39 (A) of the Constitution provides free legal aid and ensure that the State secure the oppression of the legal system to promote justice in letter and spirit for the downtrodden of the weaker society.
Geetanjli Goel, Director of NALSA, urged that petition be submitted for modification of the bail orders for those who are already released on bail by Court but unable to produce surety. She also emphasised on the prisoners’ rights under Criminal Procedures/ Constitution of India.
The awareness programme was attended by 141 prisoners, official of the Central Jail, and Member Secretary along with empanelled lawyers of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority and Dimapur District Legal Services Authority.
