NALSA Call to Free the Elderly and Ill: Imagine spending your final years locked away in a crowded prison cell, far from your family, struggling with illness and age. No comfort. No proper medical care. Just pain and silence. This is the heartbreaking reality for thousands of elderly and terminally ill prisoners in India. But now, a powerful voice is rising for them the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

NALSA Steps In With a Plea for Dignity

In a heartfelt move, NALSA has approached the Supreme Court of India, asking for compassion and justice for those who are old, sick, and behind bars. These people are not just prisoners; they are mothers, fathers, and grandparents human beings who deserve dignity, especially in their most vulnerable moments.

In its plea, NALSA brings attention to the suffering of elderly and infirm inmates who are often forgotten by society. They are living in harsh conditions without proper medical attention or humane treatment. According to official data from Prison Statistics India 2022, over 20% of convicts and more than 10% of undertrial prisoners are aged 50 and above. That’s over 70,000 people who may be quietly suffering while the world moves on outside the prison walls.

A Call for Basic Human Rights

The authority strongly argues that keeping these people in jail, especially those with life-threatening illnesses, goes against the basic rights promised by our Constitution. Articles 14 and 21 guarantee equality and the right to life and personal liberty. NALSA believes it is time to give these prisoners a second chance at life, even if it’s just the chance to spend their last days with family, in peace and dignity.

A Special Campaign for a Special Cause

To support this effort, NALSA launched a special campaign on December 10, 2024, Human Rights Day. Under the guidance of Justice B R Gavai, the campaign was designed to identify elderly and terminally ill inmates across the country and help them through legal aid and judicial support. The plea submitted to the Supreme Court asks for these prisoners to be released as long as the respective trial courts are satisfied with their cases.

A Step Toward a More Humane System

This is more than just a legal move; it’s a plea for humanity. It’s about remembering that even those behind bars have hearts that feel, families who care, and lives that matter. If the court responds positively, it could change thousands of lives and make the justice system more compassionate and inclusive.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and aims to raise awareness about a sensitive and ongoing legal matter. It is not intended to influence judicial proceedings or express any bias.

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