Jail Inspection by Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge Amritsar

Amritsar, 2 June (Punjab Post Bureau) – Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge Amritsar Smt. Harpreet Kaur Randhawa has visited the Amritsar Central Jail wherein, the jail barracks, Jail Kitchen (Langar Ghar), Jail Hospital, Legal Aid Clinic and Video Conference room was inspected. During the Sh. Pushpinder Singh and Sh. Ashish Saldi Chief Judicial Magistrate had accompanied the Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge Amritsar. Sh. Arshdeep Singh Gill Jail Superintendent, Sh. Hemant Sharma Deputy Superintendent (Maintenance) were also present during the jail visit.

               The grievances of the jail inmates were taken up with the jail authorities. The inmates were guided about various legal aid services being provided by the Punjab State Legal Services Authority including ADR mechanism i.e. Legal Aid, Lok Adalats, Victim Compensation Schemes, Para Legal Volunteer Services, Legal Aid Clinic and Legal Literacy Clubs in Schools and Colleges etc. They were also made aware about the free legal aid provided by Punjab State Legal Services Authority SAS Nagar and were apprised that any 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 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 trained Para Legal Volunteers are deputed by the District Legal Services Authority Amritsar.