Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 14: High Court today directed for removing deficiencies in jails and for providing legal aid to under trials who are not in a position to defend their cases.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Tashi Rabstan after perusal of reports filed by Principal District Judges of various districts with regard to conditions of jail inmates and facilities provided to them in the jails, said that certain deficiencies have been pointed out in these reports.
In this back drop, DB directed the Superintendants of all jails to ensure that these deficiencies are removed without any delay. Court with regard to providing of legal aid to the under trials directed the Secretary District Legal Services Authority to provide the legal aid in those cases who are not in a position to defend their cases.
Court has also warned for appropriate orders against those Principal District Judges who have not filed their visiting reports as only five visiting reports out of 22 districts have been filed so far.
Court direction to all Principal District Judges to ensure that all jails within their territorial jurisdiction are forthwith inspected and report placed before High Court at the earliest, in any case within a period of two weeks from today.
Court in the matter has noted two issues and first one is the issue of finalization of the Jail Manual. In this connection court has been informed by the State counsel that on account of the pre-occupation of the Department of Home with the ensuing polling in the State, the formal meeting for finalizing the same could not be held.
He has assured the court that the finalization is almost complete and the Jail Manual shall be placed before the State Administrative Committee (SAC) and thereafter its copy be submitted to the court.
The second aspect, which the court noted is inspection of the jails which are required to be conducted by the Principal District Judges. Court directed compliance by all the Principal District Judges of the State to ensure regular inspection and file reports before this Court.
Follow our WhatsApp channel