JAMMU: In a significant step towards integrating legal aid services with the jails across the UT of J&K for ensuring access to justice for all, a Legal Aid Clinic & Support Centre was inaugurated today by the Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority in the august presence of Justice Atul Sreedharan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority at Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH), Jammu.
On their arrival, the Chief Justice and Justice Sreedharan who were accompanied by M. K. Sharma, Principal Secretary were warmly received by Y. P. Bourney, PDJ (Chairman, DLSA), Jammu, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal & Dean, GMC Jammu, Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K LSA, Anoop Sharma, Registrar IT, Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP, Jammu, Dr. Narinder Bhutyal, Medical Superintendent other HOD’s, senior faculty members of GMC Jammu as well as police officers.
Following the inaugural ceremony, a video conference session was held between the HODs in GMC with the Medical Officers of Central Jail Kot Bhalwal Jammu rendering medical advice to three jail inmates in presence of the Chief Justice and Justice Sreedharan.
The event proceeded with a formal gathering at the Faculty Lounge, GMC Jammu, where Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal & Dean, GMC Jammu, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of legal awareness in the medical field,which was followed by an insightful presentation by Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, HOD, Orthopedics, GMC Jammu, who highlighted key areas where legal intervention is crucial in healthcare.
In his Special Address, Justice Atul Sreedharan underscored the critical role of legal aid in healthcare institutions, ensuring that marginalized patients and their families receive necessary legal support. Justice Sreedharan reiterated that the Legal Services Authority remains committed to expanding legal outreach to all sections of society, particularly vulnerable groups.
Welcoming the Chief Justice and Justice Sreedharan, the Principal GMC Jammu, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta said that it is a historic occasion as the first legal aid clinic and support center in the UT of J&K is being established in GMC Jammu which provides all possible medical aides to the society because it not only serves the population of district Jammu but also caters to the medical needs of nearby districts and even the other province of the UT. Thanks to the the Chief Justice for establishing such a support center to ensure better coordination between the medical officers posted in different jails and the specialist doctors working in GMC Jammu.
Dr Sanjeev Gupta, HOD Orthopedics in his presentation eloquently showcased the benefits and advantages of legal aid clinic and support center in GMC Jammu. He also recalled that the necessity of establishinga legal aid clinic in GMC Jammu was felt during the Mega Medical Camp organized in Central Jail Kot Bhalwal last year and the idea of establishing such a support center was the brainchild of the Chief Justice while he was heading the legal services authority as Executive Chairman that has materialized today with the opening of first such clinic in any hospital in UT of J&K.
While addressing the gathering, Justice Sreedharan thanked the Chief Justice for conceptualizing legal aid support center which would not only reduce the expenditure on the Govt., but would also save the doctors from unwanted exposure of risk from the inmates not having good past record. Justice Sreedharan also emphasized that a little more infrastructure such as document readers would be useful and doctors can also use the facility for recording their evidence in Courts without physical appearance that would take away a lot of load from the doctors and they would be available to the patients in the hospital itself. He further said that connecting to specialist doctors in other parts of the country having more experience would be easier now.
Justice Tashi Rabstan in his address commended the initiative, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between the legal and medical fraternities to safeguard the rights of the underprivileged. Chief Justice further said that such initiatives play a vital role in bridging the gap between jail inmates and essential medical services through telemedicine and e-consultations. Justice Tashi also appreciated the efforts of J&K Legal Services Authority in enhancing access to justice through such innovative means.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Smriti Sharma, Secretary, DLSA Jammu, who expressed gratitude to GMC Jammu for collaboration in establishing the Legal Aid Clinic & Support Centre and for hosting the awareness program.