"3.5 Lakh Undertrial Prisoners" : Law Minister Appeals For Efforts To Release Maximum Undertrials

Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju has made an appeal to the State Legal Services Authorities to take efforts so that maximum undertrial prisoners can be relased by August 15, 2022, on the day of the 75th year of independence of India.

"I appeal to all the State Legal Services Authorities to further intensify their efforts to provide legal counsel/aid to the under-trial prisoners so that maximum number of undertrial prisoners are released on or before 15th August 2022, while celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav", the Law Minister said.

Delivering an address at the 18th All India Legal Services Authorities Meet at Jaipur on Saturday, the Law Minister expressed concerns at over 5 crore cases pending in the country in the 75th year of independence.

The Minister also expressed concerns at large number of undertrial persons remaining in prisons.

"In this azadi ka amrit kal, 3.5 lakh prisoners are undertrials in our country. In every district, there is a review committee under the leadership of the District Judges. We urge High Court Chief Justices to take a proactive role. They are doing. We urge them to take a more proactive role to impress the District Judges. Release as many as possible. Becasue, the Government of India has decided to give a special remission to prisoners and guidelines have been framed. We urge the undertrial review committees to act more proactively and help maximum people", Minister Rijiju said.

Courts cannot be for the privileged alone

In his address, Rijiju also expressed concerns about the exorbitant lawyers fees obstructing the access to justice for common man.

"People who are wealthy and resourceful get good lawyers. In Delhi Supreme Court, many lawyers are unaffordable for common man. If lawyers charge 10-15 lakh per hearing, how can common man afford? Courts can't be only for privileged. Door of justice should always be equally open to all", the Minister said.

The Minister also made a push for use of regional languages at High Courts and trial courts.

"In Supreme Court, arguments and judgments are in English. We have a thought that in High Courts and trial Courts, there is need to give primacy for regional languages. There could be lawyers, who are knowledgeable in law, but cannot present their arguments in English. If local languages are permitted in Courts, we can solve many problems. If I can't speak English, then I should have the freedom to speak in my mother tongue. It should not be that only those who speak English get more fees, more cases, and more respect. I am opposed to this. Mother tongues are no less than English. If we give chance to local language in High Courts and lower courts, it will be good for us". 

The Minister also said that 71 obsolete Acts will be repealed in the upcoming Parliament Session and the intention of the Government is to ease the requirement of legal compliances for the common people.

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Supreme Court judge Justice UU Lalit, and Chief Justices of the High Courts are attending the meet.