NHRC launches pilot project to provide better representation for prisoners in Delhi

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 24

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has embarked upon a pilot project to improve access to justice to the prisoners in 16 Jails of Delhi through a legal aid system by fostering a sense of public service amongst the law students.

For this, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Delhi Prisons, National Law University in Delhi, and Delhi State Legal Service Authority (DSLSA).

The aim of this collaborative exercise is also to promote and protect the human rights of prisoners besides inculcating professionalism among law students.

The students from the NLU now may assist the prisoners in filing bail applications and appeals and other research work that may help Court with factual information and ensure early justice of the inmates under the supervision of Delhi State Legal Services Authority.

The NHRC will monitor the coordination, training, and payment of a stipend to the students.

The NHRC said the students will assist the DSLSA in spreading the legal awareness, legal research, drafting, representation of cases before the court of law under the DSLSA empaneled lawyers.

DSLSA, besides the supervision of students for conducting a survey of jail inmates, will appoint an advocate in each of 16 Jails of Delhi for this purpose. After the certification of the services of the students, they will be paid Rs 300 per day conveyance allowance.

The Delhi Prisons will provide legal access to the inmates under guided supervision and accessibility to the students with them.