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Time of India
26-07-2025
- Time of India
Delhi Prisons: Overcapacity And Staff Shortages Persist
New Delhi: To reduce the pressure on overcrowded jails, prisoners undergoing trials are often released on bail. Between 2019 and June this year, 5,197 undertrial prisoners were released from Delhi jails on the recommendation of the Undertrial Review Committee (UTRC) in this manner. UTRC reviews cases of prisoners to ensure they do not remain in jail for long. The system was established on the order of the Supreme Court in 2015. Each district-level committee is headed by the district and sessions judge, with the district magistrate, superintendent of police and secretary of the District Legal Services Authority as members. The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) plays a pivotal role in this regard. The identification of undertrial prisoners is carried out by legal aid clinics established by Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) in the city's 16 jails. The jail authorities send the details of undertrial prisoners eligible for bail to the DLSAs and DLSA advocates interact daily with the inmates. Each DLSA creates a list of inmates after verification and convenes the meeting of UTRC every quarter. On the basis of recommendations of UTRC, DLSAs provide free legal aid to all willing inmates to move applications for release in You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "Through a robust mechanism for identification of eligible undertrial prisoners through UTRCs and ensuring their applications, including for bail or modification of bail conditions, before the trial courts or appellate court, DLSAs ensure legal representation to all inmates," said Rajeev Bansal, member secretary, DSLSA. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 25 Best Cities for Living Undo DSLSA regularly holds meeting to monitor accurate identification of the undertrials under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority, said Abhinav Pandey, secretary (litigation), DSLSA. He explained that the Supreme Court had listed 14 categories of prisoners who could be released while NALSA had identified two categories. However, senior advocate HS Phoolka told TOI, "Releasing prisoners who are harmless to society can be released, but not repeat offenders. Trials are long and delayed, so the number of undertrial prisoners keep increasing. But I have seen cases where persons involved in 15/16 cases are released on bail and within months they commit another offence." According to the India Justice Report 2025, undertrial prisoners now make up 76% of the jail population in the country, up from 66% in 2012. As for jails in Delhi, the correctional facilities have reported 170% occupancy since 2012. In 2022, 15% of the jails had occupancy rates of over 250%. There was an overall prison staff shortfall of 27% with the city also showing the country's highest correctional staff vacancies (60%) and prison officers' vacancies (34%). There were 90 doctors for 18,000 prisoners, averaging 206 prisoners per doctor in Delhi jails. Despite being equipped with 100% video conferencing facilities, the over-reliance on incarceration, especially of undertrial prisoners, continues to clog the system, the report pointed out. Another report tabled in the Delhi Assembly earlier this year revealed that the 16 city jails with an original capacity of 10,085 prisoners housed around 19,000 prisoners. According to the report, in March, Tihar's Jail No. 1 held 2,436 inmates against its capacity of 565. Similarly, Jail No. 4, designed for 740 inmates, was home to 3,244. Only some jails had lower than capacity occupation. Of Mandoli's six jails, three were not fully occupied, with Jail No. 15, designated for high-security prisoners, holding 108 inmates against a capacity of 248. The number of undertrial prisoners is nearly eight times that of convicted inmates, with 17,118 undertrials at the end of 2024 compared with 2,235 convicted individuals. In March, chief minister Rekha Gupta announced plans to shift Tihar Jail to the outskirts and allocated Rs 10 crore in the 2025-26 budget for survey and consultancy related to the shift. Tihar Jail is one of India's largest prison complexes, established in 1958, comprising nine prisons spread over more than 400 acres. Calling the cramming of the city jails with undertrials a problem that needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner, senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey said, "It is linked with various other factors, such as judicial infrastructure, working of police and the courts. Govt needs to frame policies that can lower the burden of courts."
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
A fresh start for sexual assault survivors
New Delhi: For the 32-year-old mother of two who received a letter of intent from a reputed organisation recently, it was like a rebirth. "After going through a lot, this is my second opportunity to live my life with dignity. This opportunity is precious to me. I wish no one has to go through what I did. Our society needs to evolve and raise men who are sensitive enough not to inflict lifetime scars on women's souls," she said. The woman was sexually assaulted in 2021 by a man known to her. She was at a job fair/placement drive that was organised by Delhi State Legal Services Authority under Project Veerangna last week at the Rouse Avenue district courts complex. The event culminated with the issuance of 19 letters of intent (LoIs) after several interview rounds. The average CTC offered was Rs 2 lakh per annum by the five participating companies, recognising the potential and dedication of the candidates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Lincoln: Born Between 1940-1975 You May Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo The DSLSA chose a batch of 30 survivors for a 30-hour certification course in the food and beverages sector at the Institute of Hotel Management Catering & Nutrition, Pusa, under the project. The course costs between Rs 1.25-1.5 lakh, but the institution accepted the request of the DSLSA not to charge anything. Training started on March 8. The initiative was part of DSLSA's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate legal services beneficiaries by equipping them with vocational skills. Certificates were given to the survivors of sexual assault and similar offences who had finished the course. The placement drive saw participation by the beneficiaries who interacted with recruiters from leading hospitality and service sector organisations, including ITC Hotels Limited, The Lalit, Chhanv Foundation, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Par Anand Charitable Trust. Another participant who was issued the letter of intent and had survived rape told TOI that she received a call from officials from the DSLSA for the course. "The course offered by IHM was a revelation. I learnt a lot about hospitality, culinary, table manners and a lot more. In such a competitive industry, it feels good to be chosen for a job," the 27-year-old woman said. A 33-year-old survivor of sexual assault, who had opted for the course and got the letter of intent for a job, said: "I used to work with DTC as a driver, but after the incident, I left. I got to know about this course while I was attending my case in court. I decided to opt for it after talking to people in DSLSA. As a mother to a 5-year-old, this will help me in supporting my daughter." Rajeev Bansal, member secretary of DSLSA, emphasised the initiative's role in bringing about positive change. A new round of interviews will soon be conducted by the same industry partners, he said. "These letters of intent signify the beginning of new opportunities. The project stands as a reflection of DSLSA's unwavering commitment to empowering people with dignity and opportunity. More than a rehabilitation initiative , it is a powerful testament to the belief that with the right support, every person can rebuild a meaningful and self-reliant life," he said.
