SRINAGAR: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Prison Legal Aid Clinic at Central Jail, Srinagar, and the Legal Aid Clinic at Psychiatric Hospital, Rainawari. The event was held under the chairmanship of Jaffer Hussain Beg, Chairman DLSA Srinagar/Principal District & Sessions Judge, Srinagar, and was supervised by Ms. Nusrat Ali Hakak, Secretary DLSA Srinagar.
Secretary DLSA Srinagar, carried out the inspection of the Prison Legal Aid Clinic in presence of Shahbaz Hussainin, DYsp, Central Jail Srinagar, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). The objective of the inspection was to assess the accessibility and quality of legal aid services provided to prisoners, ensuring that they receive timely legal representation and support.
During the visit, she closely monitored the functioning of the legal aid services in the prison and interacted with the jail para-legal volunteers (PLVs) to evaluate their role in assisting inmates with legal aid and awareness. Meanwhile, an awareness programme was also organized for jail inmates, where Saad Ganaie, Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel, along with Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Urba Rashid and Sehar Nazir, served as resource persons.
They educated the inmates about their legal rights and the availability of free legal aid services. Emphasis was placed on how prisoners can access these legal services, ensuring that they are not deprived of legal representation due to financial constraints. The session aimed at empowering inmates with knowledge about their rights and the legal avenues available for their defense and rehabilitation.
In addition to the prison inspection, Secretary DLSA also inspected the Legal Aid Clinic at Psychiatric Hospital, Rainawari. The objective was to review the operation of the clinic and assess the performance and effectiveness of para-legal volunteers in delivering legal services to patients undergoing psychiatric treatment.
The inspection focused on ensuring that individuals receiving treatment at the hospital have access to necessary legal assistance, particularly in matters related to mental health rights, legal representation, and other welfare concerns. DLSA Srinagar remains committed to strengthening legal aid mechanisms and ensuring that vulnerable sections of society, including prisoners and individuals in psychiatric care, receive timely and effective legal support.
