FIR should mention details of legal aid for accused- Justice Lalit

CITY LIFE HARYANA | GURUGRAM : Every police station should have posters on the rights of a person who is being arrested and every FIR should mention details of legal assitance that is being provided to an accused, Justice UU Lalit of the Supreme Court said on sunday.

Justice Lalit in Gurgaon to inaugrate a yeariong campain titled “Quality of Legal Service is Key to Access to Justice for All” and launch a training programme organised by the Haryana State Legal Service Authority(HSLSA)

“Every citizen of the country, irrespective of their involvement in crime, should be given the opportunity to defend themselves legal representatives.”

He said though most people were aware of their legal rights during trial, there were some who lacked such information. “Those with economic resources have the best of legal minds at their disposal at all the stages But many have no such privilege and they are unaware about their rights.” said Justice Lalit.

He added that police should inform people about their rights before and after arrest. In case a suspect has no means to engage lawyers, the police should help them get legal service. According to norms, the police must produce a person in court within 24 hours of arrest. The court will first enquire if he/she needs a legal representative and ensure they get one.

Justice Lali unveiled eight posters prepared by HSLSA to make people aware of the legal rights at various stages of arrest. A video consultaton on seeking legal aid and interaction with legal representatives was also started. Two short films and animation videos about legal awareness and the Juvenile Justice( Care and Protection) Act were also released. Along with these,18 kids zones at DLSAs of 18 districts of the state were inaugrated.

The chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryan high court and patron-in-chief of HSLSA, Ravi Shanker Jha and justices Ranjan Gupta and Jaswant Singh of the Punjab and Haryana high court were also present.