District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across Nagaland conducted their fourth quarterly Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) meetings on October 15 to review the cases, legal representation and health conditions of undertrial prisoners (UTPs) lodged in district jails. The meetings examined pending cases, identified prisoners requiring legal aid and considered recommendations for bail and other legal remedies in accordance with the directives of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Wokha: The Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) conducted its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting at the District and Sessions Judge’s chamber on October 15, chaired by District and Sessions Judge and WDLSA Chairperson Seyielenuo Mezhu. The committee identified four undertrial prisoners for bail applications before the appropriate courts, with the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) directed to take further steps.
Three sick or infirm UTPs undergoing medication under the supervision of the District Jail Authority were also identified. The LADC informed the committee that the hearing of an appeal filed on behalf of a convict identified during the previous meeting was scheduled for October. The district jail had 27 UTPs and six convicts as of October 15. Two UTPs were also identified for assessment of their need for legal aid.
Kohima: The Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) conducted its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting for 2026 at the District Court Complex on October 15, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS. The committee reviewed the cases of 49 UTPs lodged at District Jail, Kohima, and recommended default bail for one prisoner and modification of a bail order for another. It also reviewed 10 convicts and directed the KDLSA Retainer Lawyer to obtain an updated status of a case requiring urgent attention. Members from Kohima and Tseminyu districts attended the meeting.
Dimapur: The Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) held its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting on October 15 at the court premises, presided over by DDLSA Secretary Julian, NJS. Members of the LADC team, representatives of the Central and District jails, and retainer and panel lawyers attended the meeting. The committee reviewed cases of prisoners lodged in both jails and referred 12 accused persons to the LADC for immediate legal representation.
Zunheboto: The Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) conducted its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting at the District Court Complex on October 15, chaired by Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-ZDLSA Secretary Vesutolu Therie, NJS. The committee reviewed the cases of all six UTPs lodged at District Jail, Zunheboto, and noted that all were represented by legal aid defence counsel.
The jail authorities reported that none of the prisoners was sick or infirm at the time of the review. The committee also examined the status of pending cases to ensure access to legal representation and justice.
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Phek: The Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) conducted its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting at the District Court Complex on October 15, chaired by District and Sessions Judge and PDLSA Chairperson Duvelu Vero, NJS. The committee reviewed the cases of 11 UTPs lodged at District Jail, Phek, and noted that all had legal representation, including seven represented by the LADC. The jail authorities reported that none of the prisoners was sick or infirm. The jail also housed 12 convicts at the time of the review.
Mokokchung: The Mokokchung District Legal Services Authority (MDLSA) held its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting at the District Court on October 15, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge and MDLSA Chairperson Victo Sema, NJS. The committee reviewed the status of prisoners lodged at District Jail, Mokokchung, and noted that all UTPs were represented by their respective legal counsels. According to the status report, the jail housed 31 UTPs and 11 convicts.
Mon: The Mon District Legal Services Authority (MDLSA) conducted its UTRC meeting at the District Court on October 15, chaired by District and Sessions Judge and DLSA Chairperson Nokshei Kano. The committee reviewed the cases of 54 UTPs and 11 convicts, totalling 65 inmates. Following the review, three UTPs were recommended for legal representation through the LADC, while another was recommended for a bail application through the same mechanism.
Kiphire: The Kiphire District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) conducted its fourth UTRC meeting through video conferencing on October 15, presided over by Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-DLSA Secretary Holika Sukhalu. The committee reviewed the cases of all nine UTPs lodged at District Jail, Kiphire, where one convict was also lodged. No UTP was identified for default bail during the review.
Tuensang: The Tuensang District Legal Services Authority (TDLSA) conducted its fourth quarterly UTRC meeting at District Jail, Tuensang, on October 15, chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge and TDLSA Chairperson Somet Chumden Chang, NJS. The committee reviewed the status of 30 UTPs and four convicts lodged in the jail, noting that four UTPs were entitled to legal aid. The meeting also reviewed the proposed extension of the UTP ward at District Hospital, Tuensang, but noted that no space was currently available for the expansion.
Peren: The Peren District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) held its monthly UTRC meeting at District Jail, Peren, on October 14, chaired by Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-PDLSA Secretary Khrievono Seletsu, NJS. The committee reviewed the cases of all 13 UTPs and recommended one prisoner for a bail application, directing the LADC to take further steps. One UTP was also found to be sick and in need of medical attention, following which the jail authorities were asked to arrange appropriate medical examination and treatment. The jail housed 19 inmates, including six convicts, with no female inmate reported.
