Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: Reaffirming the commitment of Legal Services Institutions to ensuring access to justice and upholding the constitutional rights of prisoners, Justice Atul Sreedharan, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh & Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority today undertook a significant visit to District Jail Bhaderwah to assess the living conditions of inmates, review legal aid availability and evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation and reformative measures.
He was accompanied by Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K LSA, Anoop Sharma, Registrar IT, High Court of J&K and Ladakh as well as Muzamil Hayat Kabli, Under Secretary (Adm), J&K LSA. Upon his arrival, Justice Atul Sreedharan was warmly received by Balbir Lal, District & Sessions Judge (Chairman, DLSA), Bhaderwah; Harvinder Singh, District Magistrate Doda; Sandeep Mehta, SSP Doda; Hamidullah Malik, Jail Superintendent and Tabraiz Qazi, Secretary, DLSA Bhaderwah.
Justice Sreedharan inspected various facilities within the jail, which currently houses 164 under-trial prisoners, 23 detenues and 4 convicts against a total capacity of 155 persons. A separate female block was also inspected, where 15 under-trial prisoners, including 7 foreign nationals, are lodged.
The Executive Chairman also inaugurated an Eye Check-up Camp organized by the District Administration in collaboration with the Red Cross Society, where 60 inmates were registered for examination and all the medicines prescribed were provided free of cost by the Red Cross Society.
Taking note of medical needs, Justice Sreedharan directed the District Magistrate to explore the feasibility of providing e-consultations through telemedicine services, particularly for addressing psychiatric and psychological concerns of inmates. He also advised the District Administration to consider installing a defibrillator within the jail dispensary to cater to the cardiac emergencies.
He also inspected 10- bedded medical dispensary and Yoga and Meditation Centre, where live yoga classes were being conducted under the guidance of Dr Nidhi Padha.
Interacting with the jail inmates, Justice Sreedharan emphasized that judges only adjudicate the mistakes of an accused committed in law, and not the sins committed by them. He reiterated the importance of ensuring timely legal aid for inmates and strengthening rehabilitation measures within correctional facilities.
He also visited the Jail Legal Aid Clinic, where he appreciated the role of Legal Aid Defense Counsels and Para-Legal Volunteers in facilitating legal assistance to inmates.
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