The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar, led by Tasleem Arief, Principal District and Sessions Judge/Chairman DLSA, conducted an extensive inspection of Central Jail Srinagar and its Prison Legal Aid Clinic on Friday. The visit aimed to assess inmate living conditions and review the functioning of legal aid services.
Accompanied by Sajad Ur Rehman, Secretary DLSA Srinagar, Legal Aid Defence Counsels, and other officials, the team visited key jail sections including the Legal Aid Clinic, Welfare Block, Vocational Training Centre, Jail Hospital, Kitchen, Women’s Block, and the Women-Centric Tailoring Centre. Special attention was paid to medical and de-addiction facilities.
The inspection also included interactions with inmates—men and women—to gather direct feedback on services and address grievances. Sheikh Zulfikar Azad, Senior Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, and other prison officials joined the inspection.
Chairman DLSA also engaged with Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) at the Prison Legal Aid Clinic, emphasizing their vital role in ensuring inmates’ access to justice. He urged PLVs to remain proactive and empathetic.
Additionally, DLSA officials visited the Legal Aid Clinic at the University of Kashmir to assess its service delivery and coordination with stakeholders.
The inspections highlight DLSA Srinagar’s ongoing commitment to legal empowerment, humane treatment, and institutional accountability within custodial and public welfare frameworks.