SEVERAL undertrials, mostly from the poor strata of society, languishing in Maharashtra jails due to lack of proper legal assistance have found a ray of hope with a group of lawyers coming forward to take up their cases pro bono. These lawyers, as part of NGO ‘Dard se Humdard Tak’, have helped the undertrials secure bail, arrange for their bail bond, and facilitated the release of those arrested in petty crimes cases such as robbery, mobile theft, etc after having spent considerable time in jail, advocate Prakash Salsingikar told PTI.

 

They visit jails across the state after having received permission from the State Government and collect data of prisoners who need their services. The organisation has come to the aid of more than 500 prisoners in the last three years, claimed Salsingikar who is working along with 20 other lawyers to provide such services. Their organisation was registered as an NGO in May 2023, he said.

 

The lawyers visit the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai thrice a week, the Thane jail and Pune’s Yerwada prison twice a week and the Byculla womens’ prison here once a fortnight. They meet the prisoners, study their case papers and provide assistance accordingly. Salsingikar said majority of the undertrials fail to get proper legal assistance either due to non-awareness of remedies available to them under the law or because of their poor financial condition.