Samvaad scheme will help prisoners/detainees to fight their cases fairly and transparently: Aggarwal, Sessions Judge
Punjab leads with Digital Legal Aid for Prisoners; launches Samvaad scheme from Ferozepur
Ferozepur, December 4, 2024: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Ferozepur, under the leadership of District and Sessions Judge Veerinder Aggarwal, has launched the innovative "Samvaad" scheme. This initiative allows inmates and undertrials to communicate with their lawyers through video conferencing from within the jail premises, ensuring a transparent and impartial process for legal proceedings.
"Samvaad" scheme for prisoners to connect with lawyers via Video Conferencing
Highlighting the scheme's significance, Sessions Judge Aggarwal explained that it is the first of its kind in Punjab, implemented exclusively in Ferozepur district. The scheme was developed after it was observed that the physical appearances of undertrials in courts decreased, leading to reduced interactions between inmates and their lawyers. Now, prisoners can consult their legal representatives through video conferencing, overseen by jail authorities, to discuss case details and stay updated on proceedings.
Previously, lawyers were often reluctant to visit jails, resulting in communication gaps. The "Samvaad" scheme bridges this gap by facilitating seamless interactions online.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Anuradha, who also serves as Secretary of DLSA Ferozepur, detailed the scheme's operational aspects. Undertrials can register their names, along with their lawyers' names and contact numbers, every Monday and Thursday by noon at the legal aid clinic within the jail. The DLSA coordinates with the lawyers to arrange video conferencing sessions. This service will also be extended to the subdivisions of Guru Har Sahai and Zira.