• Reviews civic, other facilities made available for inmates

JAMMU: A team of senior officials today visited the District Jail Amphalla, Jammu to review the condition of under trial prisoners, assess jail facilities and conduct 4th meeting of the Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC).

The 4th UTRC meeting was convened under the chairmanship of   Y. P. Bourney, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority & (Principal District & Sessions Judge) Jammu and was attended by Ansuya Jamwal, Additional District Commissioner (Adm), Jammu; Dr. Smriti Sharma, Secretary DLSA Jammu; Vivek Shekhar, Superintendent of Police Jammu North; Prashant Mahajan, Deputy Director Prosecution Jammu; Anil Mangotra, Chief Prosecution Officer Jammu; Veerinder Kumar Bhat, Superintendent of Central Jail Kot Bhalwal Jammu; Dharminder Katoch, Superintendent of District Jail Amphalla Jammu and Anil Sharma, Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel Jammu.

The committee reviewed the status of under-trial prisoners in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). During the meeting, the committee reviewed various cases based on guidelines from the Supreme Court and NALSA SOPs, focusing on prisoners lacking proper representation or those who have spent substantial time behind bars.

The meeting concluded with a series of recommendations aimed at expediting pending cases, improving coordination between prison authorities and investigating agencies and ensuring that every eligible undertrial receives benefit of speedy justice as mandated by law The District Legal Services Authority, Jammu reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of undertrials and promoting access to justice through continuous review mechanisms like the UTRC.

Further, Y. P. Bourney, Chairman DLSA Jammu during the jail visit interacted with inmates to understand their grievances and emphasized the importance of timely legal assistance and inspected the jail premises and assured all necessary administrative and security support for the welfare of inmates. 

Y. P. Bourney also held interaction with under trial prisoners, detenues and convicted prisoners in the ground area of the jail and took first hand stock of facilities available there. The inspection covered a wide range of areas, including the Jail Legal Aid Clinic, Virtual VC rooms, interview area, Jail Prisoner calling system, Jail Hospital, Kitchen Area etc. The Medical Centre within the jail premises was also thoroughly inspected.

They also checked the quality of the food prepared in Jail for the prisoners and also took stock of medical facilities and listened attentively to the inmates’ concerns and grievances and provided them a platform for feedback on the services provided by District Legal Services Authority Jammu.  Later, the jail inmates also organised a cultural programme in the honour of Pr. District and Sessions Judge Jammu.

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here