Legal aid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 22 2025: Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur, D.Krishnakumar, emphasized that all prisoners, regardless of whether they're convicted or under trial, have the fundamental right to seek legal aid.

This statement was made during a legal awareness program organised by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) under the theme "Rights of the Prisoners" at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, today .

A similar programme was also held at Manipur Central Jail, Imphal.

Addressing the function at Sajiwa, Krishnakumar continued that the Supreme Court of India had passed several orders to the legal services authorities to take necessary measures to render legal services to the prisoners.

The Constitution of India also protects the rights of the prisoners under Article 21, 22, 39A, he added.

Highlighting that Under Trial Review Committees (UTRC) are set up in every district which comprises of District Judge, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Secretary, DLSA and Jail Superintendent to address the issue of prolonged detention of undertrial prisoners and to ensure their timely release when eligible, he mentioned that poor prisoners who cannot afford their surety or not able to pay fine may avail benefits under "Scheme for Support to Poor Prisoners" which provides financial assistance upto Rs 40,000 .

He appealed to the prisoners to approach the Legal Aid Clinic opened at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Manipur Central Jail, Imphal to avail free legal aid and services.

Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and his companion Judges distributed kits to the inmates of both Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa and Manipur Central, Imphal.

Altogether, 500 inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa and 65 inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Imphal including those detainees in Foreigner Detention Centres participated in the programmes.

Later, Justice D Krishnakumar inspected the rooms both at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa and Manipur Central Jail Imphal and took cognizance of some of the dilapidated conditions, especially the toilets.

He instructed the Member Secretary of MASLSA to take stock of the conditions of the infrastructure and write to the authorities concerned.

A skid was also performed by the Nokphade Team at Manipur Central Jail, Imphal.

Both the awareness programme were graced D Krishnakumar, Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur & patron-in-chief of MASLSA; Justice A Bimol Singh, Judge of High Court of Manipur and Executive Chairman of MASLSA; Justice A Guneshwar Sharma, Judge of High Court of Manipur; Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui, Judge of High Court of Manipur.

Other attendees of the programme included Ojesh Mutum, Registrar General of High Court of Manipur; Alek Muivah, Member Secretary of MASLSA; Bineshwori Maibam, Additional Member Secretary of MASLSA; Rajshree Yambem, Deputy Member Secretary of MASLSA; Kh Rojita Devi, OSD of MASLSA and Sorokhaibam Sadananda, Secretary of Imphal East DLSA among others.

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