AMRITSAR: Amarinder Singh Grewal, Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge on 23.05.2024 has visited and inspected the Central Jail Amritsar, wherein, the jail barracks alongwith washrooms, toilets, Jail Kitchen (Langar Ghar) and Legal Aid Clinic were inspected in order to notice hygiene conditions of the area in question.
Sessions judge sahib also checked the kitchen where food for the under trial prisoners was cooked and tasted the food, which was found to be satisfactory but directions were issued to jail superintendent, Central Jail, Amritsar for improving the inner area of Langhar Hall by the way of repair of construction, to install the electrical appliances in order to control over heat wave while cooking the food by the jail inmates. Learned Sessions Judge was accompanied with Sh. Rachhpal Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, DLSA, Sh. Parinder Singh, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Amritsar and Ms. Supreet Kaur, JMIC. Sh. Anurag Kumar Azad, Jail Superintendent has also been present on the spot during the jail inspection.
On query of condition of washrooms, toilets etc, Learned District & Sessions, Amritsar replied that the National Legal Services Authority has issued letter to all the concerned authorities to visit in the jails and to report regarding the conditions of washrooms, toilets, kitchen etc. with further direction to report about the State Government Authorities concerns regarding the improvement in the jail. District & Sessions Judge also directed the Secretary, DLSA, Amritsar to visit the jail once in a week regarding noting down the condition of washrooms, seepage in barracks and the need for a water tank among others, requiring immediate attention of State Government.
It was announced on the public address system regarding the visit of undersigned in the jail and an announcement was also made to this effect that if any inmate wanted to put forward his/her grievance, he can come and explain, consequent to which, the inmates started appearing before the Session judge sahib. Session Judge Sahib heard the grievances of inmates and immediately the grievances of the jail inmates were taken up with the jail authorities and jail authorities were directed to resolve their grievances.
Also the inmates were made aware about the free legal aid being provided by Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar and were apprised that every inmate in the jail whether convict or under trial is entitled to free legal aid under Legal Services Authority Act, 1987. The inmate can fill up a simple application form and thereafter he is immediately provided a free legal aid counsel.
Similarly in case a person is convicted by the court and intends to file appeal/revision against the order of conviction, he can also file an application in the office of District Legal Services Authority, Amritsar. It was further explained that all the expenses incurred during the case are borne by the District Legal Services Authority, Amritsar. Further the jail inmates were made aware about the fact that there is a Legal Aid Clinic established at Central Jail, Amritsar where the Defence Legal Aid Counsels visit and man the legal aid clinic and assisting the jail inmates about their cases, for representing and defending the jail inmates in their court cases and the trained Para Legal Volunteers are also deputed by the District Legal Services Authority, Amritsar. For any query related to their case they can visit the legal aid clinic and take assistance.
Sessions Judge Sahib directed Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, DLSA, Amritsar to put maximum efforts in providing legal assistance to each and every jail inmates related to their court cases. Further he has been directed to hold camp court in the jails and dispose of cases in nature of petty offences to overcome the burden on jail as the jail is overcrowded.