(a) whether it is a fact that the poor women in prison lack legal aid services across the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government has proposed to appoint lawyers to help such women, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government would set up any mechanism to monitor the attendance of such lawyers and the number of cases handled by them on monthly basis;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) and (b) No Sir. The Legal Services Authorities have been providing free legal aid to all prisoners including women prisoners through their Jail Visiting Lawyers, Jail Legal Services Clinics manned by Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) and Remand Advocates. In the year 2020, 18377 women prisoners were provided legal assistance through Jail Legal Services Clinics and 2754 women prisoners were provided legal assistance through other modes. Further, Legal Services Institutions have appointed Remand Advocates in Magisterial Courts and Sessions Courts, wherever required. As on April 2021, 7296 Remand Advocates are providing legal services to arrestees in the criminal courts including women. In addition awareness camps are held at regular intervals in jails to make inmates including women be informed about their legal rights including right to bail.
(c) to (e) National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) already has a mechanism in place to monitor the services of panel lawyers of Legal Services Authorities. Monitoring and Mentoring Committees have been setup for close monitoring of the Court based legal services and also to guide and advise the panel lawyers. NALSA is already taking pro-active steps in strengthening the legal aid system for jail inmates specifically focusing on quality and competency which also benefits the women prisoners.
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