Apex Court issues directions to ensure good & qualitative assistance in legal aid matters

Read Order: Kailash Thakan vs. State of Rajasthan

Pankaj Bajpai

New Delhi, October 13, 2021: In to ensure good & qualitative assistance in legal aid matters, the Supreme Court recently directed that as and when any legal assistance either through the panel of Amicus Curiae maintained by the Registry of this Court or through the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee is sought for, complete record of the case in digital form must be sent by the State Legal Services Authority or the High Court Legal Services Committee. 

A Division Bench of Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat further directed that the concerned State Legal Services Authority or the High Court Legal Services Committee must also share other relevant material and documents such as Custody Certificate disclosing the length of custody undergone by the accused. 

In addition, the Apex Court also clarified that the State Legal Services Authority or the High Court Legal Services Committee must thus ensure that the entire material including the record and documents are shared with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee or the Amicus Curiae Cell in the Registry of this Court so that adequate representation on behalf of the concerned accused is facilitated. 

Moreover, the Top Court also directed that whenever any matters are received from the State Legal Services Authority or the High Court Legal Services Committee, the Amicus Curiae Cell in the Registry of this Court or the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee must ensure that the digital version of the record is received is shared with the concerned counsel. 

Also, at the request of Mr. Karan Bharihoke, the matter has now been adjourned to November 22, 2021 to enable the Amicus Curiae to place on record copies of the translation of relevant depositions.