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The Allahabad High Court recently raised significant concerns about the lack of legal aid for impoverished and indigent prisoners, observing that the absence of timely legal assistance contributes to prolonged detention and the erosion of constitutional rights. The court’s remarks came during hearings related to a series of bail applications filed by undertrials who had been unable to access legal aid for over a decade.
Justice Ajay Bhanot, addressing the issue, highlighted that while India celebrates its progress, many citizens remain ensnared in the “dark walls of prisons” where “the light of Constitutional liberties does not penetrate.” This metaphor underscores the stark reality faced by many incarcerated individuals who are deprived of their fundamental rights due to the systemic failures in providing adequate legal support.
The bench reviewed cases where applicants, who were financially destitute and marginalized, had faced severe delays in filing bail applications due to lack of legal representation and illiteracy. The court pointed out that the constitutional promise of justice is undermined for those who cannot afford legal aid, leading to extended periods of detention.
“On the morrow of 75th year of the Constitution, constitutional amnesia grips some spaces in the country,” the court remarked, criticizing the gaps in the legal aid system. This recurring issue of inadequate legal support for the most vulnerable highlights a critical need for reform to ensure that every individual, regardless of their financial status, has access to justice.
The case, Ramu vs. State of U.P and connected matters, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in upholding constitutional rights for all, particularly those caught in the margins of society.