As part of “Release of UTRC@75” campaign launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) of India to commemorate the 75th independence day and as per the directions of NLSA and Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, Under-Trial Review Committee Baramulla held its 2nd Special meeting today at Dak Bungalow, here.
The meeting was chaired by Mohammad Yousuf Wani, Principal District and Sessions Judge Baramulla as Chairman of the Committee and was attended by Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Raina, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Baramulla; Fariqa Nazir, Secretary District Legal Services Authority Baramulla; Barkat Ali, Superintendent District Jail Baramulla; Sajjad Bukhari, Dysp Hqrs Baramulla; Peerzada Aijaz, Jail Baramulla; Nazir Ahmad Naikoo, Public Prosecutor Baramulla; Dr. Bashir Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer and Hidayatullah Executive Engineer PHE (Jal Shakti Deptt).
The committee reviewed the cases of the under-trial prisoners lodged in different Jails in the district as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court and NALSA SOP. The cases of the under-trials falling under the specified categories were threadbare discussed.
The preliminary exercise was made in respect of the cases of under-trial women prisoners, sick prisoners who require specialized medical treatment and the prisoners who are above 65 years of age.Pertinently, no cases had been reported from the criminal courts and the jails within the district as falling under categories 1 to 7.
Three prisoners falling under category No.8 were already recommended by the committee in its 1st meeting and they stand released as of now. Six cases have been recommended by the committee falling under category 8.
The cases under various other categories were also discussed and were subsequently recommended by the committee.Besides, the committee strongly recommended the availability of the drinking water facility in the premises of the District Jail Baramulla.
On the suggestion of Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Department, it was also recommended that the office of the Director General Prisons may explore a possibility of the installation of separate 1 Km water-pipeline scheme directly from WSS Jetty carrying a capacity of 50,000 litre in the District Jail Baramulla which will cost approx. Rs. 8.00 lacs.
It was further resolved by the committee that sick undertrials be referred to the Medical Board for examination. The committee recommended that the Chief Medical Officer shall post a permanent Male doctor in the medical unit of District Jail.Some other concerns were also recommended for resolution so as to provide relief to the undertrials.