Nagaland DLSAs review health, legal aid of undertrial prisoners

Several recommended for bail, legal representationKohima, October 16 (MExN): District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across Nagaland conducted their fourth quarterly Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) meetings on October 15 to review the cases, legal representation and health conditions of undertrial prisoners (UTPs) lodged in district jails.The meetings examined pending cases, identified prisoners requiring legal aid and considered recommendations for bail and other legal remedies in accordance with the directives of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the PRA NSLSA said in a press release. In Wokha, the WDLSA meeting, chaired by District and Sessions Judge and WDLSA Chairperson Seyielenuo Mezhu, identified four UTPs for bail applications, with the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) directed to take further steps. Three sick or infirm UTPs undergoing medication were also identified. The district jail had 27 UTPs and six convicts as of October 15, and two UTPs were identified for assessment of their need for legal aid. The Kohima DLSAs meeting, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge Mezivolu T Therieh, reviewed the cases of 49 UTPs lodged at District Jail, Kohima, and recommended default bail for one prisoner and modification of a bail order for another. It also reviewed 10 convicts and directed the KDLSA Retainer Lawyer to obtain an updated status of a case requiring urgent attention. Members from Kohima and Tseminyu districts attended.In Dimapur, the DDLSA meeting, presided over by DDLSA Secretary Julian, reviewed cases of prisoners lodged in the Central and District jails and referred 12 accused persons to the LADC for immediate legal representation.The Zunheboto DLSAs meeting, chaired by Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-ZDLSA Secretary Vesutolu Therie, reviewed the cases of all six UTPs lodged at District Jail, Zunheboto, and noted that all were represented by legal aid defence counsel. The jail authorities reported that none of the prisoners was sick or infirm.In Phek, the PDLSA meeting, chaired by District and Sessions Judge and PDLSA Chairperson Duvelu Vero, reviewed the cases of 11 UTPs and noted that all had legal representation, including seven represented by the LADC. The jail also housed 12 convicts.The Mokokchung DLSAs meeting, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge and MDLSA Chairperson Victo Sema, noted that all UTPs were represented by their respective legal counsels. The jail housed 31 UTPs and 11 convicts. In Mon, the DLSAs meeting, chaired by District and Sessions Judge and DLSA Chairperson Nokshei Kano, reviewed the cases of 54 UTPs and 11 convicts, totalling 65 inmates. Three UTPs were recommended for legal representation through the LADC, while another was recommended for a bail application.The Kiphire DLSAs meeting, presided over by Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-DLSA Secretary Holika Sukhalu through video conferencing, reviewed the cases of all nine UTPs lodged at District Jail, Kiphire, where one convict was also lodged. No UTP was identified for default bail.The Tuensang DLSAs meeting, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge and TDLSA Chairperson Somet Chumden Chang, reviewed the status of 30 UTPs and four convicts, noting that four UTPs were entitled to legal aid. It also reviewed the proposed extension of the UTP ward at District Hospital, Tuensang, but noted that no space was currently available.The Peren DLSAs monthly UTRC meeting, chaired by Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-PDLSA Secretary Khrievono Seletsu, reviewed the cases of all 13 UTPs and recommended one prisoner for a bail application, directing the LADC to take further steps. One UTP was found to be sick and in need of medical attention, following which the jail authorities were asked to arrange appropriate medical examination and treatment. The jail housed 19 inmates, including six convicts, with no female inmate reported.