Wokha, June 17 (MExN): Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) conducted legal awareness on ‘basic rights of prisoners’ on June 16.
Speaking on legal services clinic and right to legal aid, Meribemo Lotha, Panel Lawyer WDLSA and in-charge district jail said poverty, social and economical backwardness and lack of legal awareness are the reasons some underprivileged inmates are unable to defend their case denying them of their basic rights as enshrined in article 39A of the constitution of India.
Therefore, in order to assist the underprivileged jail inmates in contesting their case, the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) had opened up a legal services clinic at district jail Wokha, deputing a panel lawyer to assist the underprivileged inmates through free legal aid, he informed.
Highlighting on rights of prisoners, David Ezung, Panel Lawyer WDLSA said that under Article 14, equality before law, whether prisoner or innocent citizens they are protected by the constitution of India. Prisoners also have their rights, he asserted, according to a press release from NSLSA. David apprised that the Prison Act 1894 guarantees right to meet friends and consult lawyers, right against solidarity confinement and under Article 21 right to free legal aid and right to speedy trial etc.
Regarding rights of an arrested person, Renbonthung Tsanglao, Panel Lawyer WDLSA said that whoever is arrested he/she should be informed of the grounds of arrest, which is a statutorily recognized right of an arrested person.
Some sections of law also impose a legal duty to communicate to the arrested person grounds of his/her arrest without any delay, he stated. The Panel Lawyer also informed that no person shall be detained in custody without being informed of the grounds for such arrest.
Renbonthung further pointed out that it is the legal obligation of the police to give information on where the arrested person is being held to any of his/her friends, relatives as may be nominated by the arrested person. “Moreover, the right to free legal aid of the arrested indigent person cannot be denied even if the accused failed to apply for it,” he said.
Apprising on Lok Adalat with emphasis on alternative dispute resolution, Gracy Ezung, Retainer Lawyer WDLSA said that Lok Adalat is a forum where disputes pending in the court are settled through compromise. She informed that the decision or decree of Lok Adalat is final and binding. An interaction and case study on prisoners was also held.
