SCLSC Launches Campaign to Provide Legal Aid to Prisoners for Filing Appeals in Supreme Court
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi, 1, April, 2025— The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) has launched a significant campaign aimed at identifying prisoners who need legal aid to file appeals or Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) in the Supreme Court of India. The initiative was discussed in a virtual meeting today, chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Chairman of SCLSC, with all Chairpersons of State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and High Court Legal Services Committees (HCLSCs) across India.
The campaign, which was officially launched in January 2025, aims to assist prisoners who meet specific criteria, including those whose criminal appeals have been dismissed by the High Court, those who have served more than half of their sentence but have faced bail rejection, and those who have been denied the benefit of remission and whose challenges have been rejected by the High Court.
More than 4,200 prisoners have been identified during the ongoing three-month-long exercise across jails in India.
These prisoners have expressed their willingness to avail legal aid services for filing SLPs in the Supreme Court through the SCLSC.
Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of sending the necessary documents, including certified copies of the impugned orders and judgments, to the SCLSC without delay so that the appeals or SLPs could be filed promptly. He also stressed that this campaign should not be a one-time effort and urged the Chairpersons of SLSAs and HCLSCs to make this a regular initiative to ensure continuous identification of inmates requiring legal aid.
The Chairman further highlighted the need for a robust system where every prisoner is immediately informed of their legal rights and how to access legal aid upon entering jail. He proposed that legal services should be available to all inmates from day one in jail, ensuring timely assistance and support throughout their legal proceedings.
Justice Surya Kant called on the Chairpersons of SLSAs and HCLSCs to monitor the campaign closely, ensuring that all necessary documentation is sent and all eligible prisoners receive the legal aid they require. This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening the legal support system for prisoners across India.
