Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a distinguished judicial figure, has released a framework and schedule for Quarterly Undertrial Review Committee (QURC) meetings in 2024. This initiative aims to streamline the process of reviewing undertrial cases and ensure timely justice delivery.
NEW DELHI: Today (8th April): Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), officially announced a new framework and schedule for the quarterly meetings of Under Trial Review Committees (UTRCs) for the year 2024.
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These meetings, aimed at conducting periodic reviews of detention of all prisoners, are set to occur on 15th April, 15th July, and 16th October. This initiative follows several directives from the Supreme Court of India to mitigate the prolonged incarceration of individuals awaiting trial.
The announcement was made during a virtual launch event, which saw the attendance of Executive Chairpersons and Member Secretaries from State Legal Services Authorities, Chairpersons and Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), and other UTRC members. The UTRC, a district-level committee led by the District & Sessions Judge and comprising members such as the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, and Officer-in-charge of Prisons, is tasked with reviewing prisoner cases quarterly and recommending releases where appropriate.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasized the essential role of UTRCs in preventing extended pre-trial detentions and called for an enhancement in their operation across India. He highlighted the need for increased awareness among lawyers regarding the fourteen categories of prisoners eligible for review, the timely filing of bail applications, and the pursuit of appellate remedies following bail rejections. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of building confidence among prisoners and their families to strengthen their trust in legal services.
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Addressing the challenges posed by the rising prison population and the growing percentage and duration of undertrial detentions, Justice Khanna emphasized the increasingly critical function of UTRCs. He shared notable achievements, such as the recommendation for the release of nearly 2.24 lakh prisoners by UTRCs over the past five years, resulting in over 1.06 lakh prisoners being freed across India. Additionally, he noted the release of approximately 50,000 prisoners during special campaigns by NALSA in 2022 and 2023.
However, Justice Khanna also cautioned that despite these encouraging figures, a reflection on the functioning and efficacy of UTRCs by NALSA revealed certain gaps that require immediate attention to improve their reach and effectiveness. He posited that uniform and concerted execution of UTRC meetings across the country, as outlined in the new framework and schedule, would lead to more comprehensive reviews of prisoner cases, thereby increasing the number of recommendations and subsequent releases.
Justice Khanna reiterated the importance of the UTRC Framework’s core objectives—Review, Recommendation, and Release—calling for the regular, thorough, and consistent review of cases, timely recommendations for release, and diligent follow-up on bail applications.
Ms. Santosh Snehi Mann, Member Secretary of NALSA, who convened the launch event, echoed the call for enhancing the reach and impact of UTRCs and urged all Legal Services Institutions to ensure the systematic functioning of these committees, marking a pivotal step towards ensuring justice and fair treatment for undertrial prisoners in India.
