Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Sunday (August 8) highlighted the issue of custodial torture by police that still prevails in the country.
He said that the threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the highest in police stations and that even those from the privileged classes are not spared.
The CJI was speaking at an event organised by the National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA).
“The threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the highest in police stations. Custodial torture and other police atrocities are problems that still prevail in our society. Going by the recent reports even the privileged are not spared third-degree treatment,” CJI Ramana said.
“To keep police excesses in check dissemination of information about the constitutional right to legal aid and availability of free legal aid services is necessary. The installation of display boards and outdoor hoardings in every police station/prison is a step in this direction,” he said.
For a society to remain governed by the rule of law, the CJI said it is imperative to bridge the gap of accessibility to justice between the highly privileged and the most vulnerable.
He pointed out that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we have successfully been able to continue our legal aid services.
“Majority of those, who do not have access to justice are from rural and remote areas which suffer from lack of connectivity. I have already written to the government emphasizing the need to bridge the digital divide on a priority basis,” he added.
Referring to the move by the NALSA to rope in Department of Post, Justice Ramana said: “The services of the existing postal network can be utilised to spread awareness regarding the availability of free legal aid services and to increase the outreach of legal services to the eligible category of persons, especially to the persons residing in rural and far-flung areas of the country”.
