9,000 undertrials released through Maharashtra's legal aid model: CM
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Nagpur: Around 9,000 undertrial prisoners, nearly 45% of the 20,000 aided so far, were released through a pioneering legal aid initiative launched under chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2018.
The first-of-its-kind model in the country, this effort has since been adopted by the central govt and is now being expanded nationwide with dedicated funding, a statement released by the govt says.
Conceived as a response to the disproportionately high number of undertrials in Indian jails, the initiative focuses on providing structured legal assistance to inmates who often remain incarcerated due to lack of representation or inability to afford bail.
As per the Prison Statistics India Report 2021, over 77% of inmates in India are undertrials, with an average jail occupancy rate of 130%.
"This effort began with a clear objective, to deliver justice to those trapped in the system for no fault other than poverty or lack of support," said Fadnavis, highlighting the need for equity within the criminal justice framework.
The project began with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Maharashtra govt and the Azim Premji Foundation.
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Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and National Law University, Delhi also partnered in operationalising the programme.
Initially rolled out across eight major prisons — Nagpur, Arthur Road, Byculla, Kalyan, Taloja, Latur, Thane, and Pune — it involved the appointment of trained social work and legal fellows within jails and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs).
These professionals assist prisoners in preparing legal documents, understanding court procedures, and securing effective legal representation.
The initiative has not only helped secure bail or case closure for thousands but has also strengthened the prison-based legal aid system and triggered policy-level reforms.
With the success of the pilot phase, the state govt recently renewed its MoU with the Azim Premji Foundation. The next phase will focus on strengthening information systems, scaling legal clinics in prisons, and building institutional capacities to deliver justice more efficiently.
Officials said that the initiative has become a national model for legal aid, demonstrating how administrative will and structured partnerships can transform access to justice for the most marginalised.
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