The petitioners challenge Rule 585 of the Delhi Prison Law, 2018, which limits to two days a week the right of the inmates to a legal meeting.
In a petition challenging the Delhi Prison Rule that limits the right of inmates to consult a lawyer for two meetings a week, the Delhi High Court ordered a response from the Delhi government (Jai A Dehadri & Anr vs GNCTD).
In the petition selected by advocates Jai A Dehadri and Sidharth Arora, the Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh gave a notice.
The petitioners have challenged Rule 585 of the Delhi Prison Law, 2018, arguing that, by virtue of Article 21 of the Constitution, it breaches the right of access to justice as promised to under-trials and convicts.
“The Regulation disproportionately restricts their ability to contact their attorneys to just twice each week. The Tihar Central Jail’s prisoner profile itself indicates that 82.02 percent of the overall prison population is under-trial, so it is only obvious that the requirement for constant legal assistance in terms of conference with lawyers and planning of more steps,” the petition claimed.
The plaintiff then prayed that, for an infinite number of occasions, the Prison Rules should allow for an interview with legal advisors from Monday to Friday.
“Proper legal counsel will not only guarantee the inmate’s universal human right, but also ensure that a quicker prosecution is given with an undertrial,” it was submitted.
It has also been pointed out that there is no bar on the number of civil visits with prisoners in other developed nations, such as the United States of America.
The petition was filed by Harshit Goel’s counsel. Next, the matter will be heard on April 4.
