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Kupwara : The 2nd meeting of the Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) of the year 2026 was successfully convened at Kupwara under the chairmanship of the Chairman, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kupwara, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Mr. Manjeet Singh Manhas. The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary, DLSA Kupwara, Civil Judge (Senior Division), Mr. Javid Ahmad Parry.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Mr. Mumtaz Ahmad, Additional Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Kupwara, who attended on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara; Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Mr. Syed Al-Tahir Gilani; Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kupwara, Dr. Zaffar Akbar; Superintendent of District Jail Kupwara, Mr. Syed Gazzanfar; Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Handwara, Mr. Kaiser Ahmad, who attended on behalf of the SP Handwara; Public Prosecutors Mr. Hilal Ahmad Bhat and Mr. Mohsin Ah Khan; and Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel (LADC), DLSA Kupwara, Adv. Mozamil Yousuf Bhat.
During the meeting, the Committee deliberated upon the guidelines issued by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) regarding the conduct of quarterly UTRC meetings for the year 2026, aimed at strengthening the institutional mechanism for regular review of undertrial prisoners and ensuring timely access to justice.
In light of these guidelines, the Committee undertook a comprehensive review of cases of undertrial prisoners falling under various categories, including those eligible under Sections 436A and 436 CrPC (corresponding provisions under BNSS), first-time offenders who have undergone a substantial portion of their sentence, undertrials granted bail but unable to furnish sureties, persons accused of compoundable offences, and those eligible for release on probation or admonition.
The Committee also examined cases of undertrial prisoners eligible for statutory/default bail under Section 167(2) CrPC read with Section 36A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, particularly where investigation has not been completed within the prescribed period. Special emphasis was laid on vulnerable categories, including women prisoners, elderly inmates above 70 years of age, first-time young offenders, and those who are sick, infirm, or suffering from terminal illnesses requiring specialized medical care.
Further, cases involving undertrials detained for offences carrying lesser punishment, those detained under preventive provisions of law, and cases where trials have been unduly delayed were also taken into consideration, in line with statutory provisions and judicial guidelines.
The Committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring expeditious disposal of cases, safeguarding the rights of prisoners, and reducing overcrowding in jails through timely identification and release of eligible inmates, strictly in accordance with law.
