SHEELA BARSE vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court emphasized the constitutional imperative of providing legal assistance to poor and indigent prisoners under Articles 14, 21, and 39A of the Constitution. The Court held that the lack of legal aid can lead to injustice, undermining democracy and the rule of law. It directed the Inspector General of Prisons in Maharashtra to issue a circular mandating the provision of legal aid to prisoners, including lists of under-trial prisoners and facilitating access for lawyers from the Legal Aid Committee.