Supreme Court Notice on PIL for Guaranteed Legal Counsel
The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to guarantee the presence of legal counsel for individuals who are arrested or summoned.
The plea also seeks guidelines for granting notice of rights to silence and right to counsel to individuals under enquiry or being questioned by the State.
The right to the presence of legal counsel should be a non-discretionary, non-discriminatory and unalienable right.
- The PIL was filed by lawyer Shaffi Mather.
- A bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued the notice.
The notice seeks to interpret relevant statutory provisions, including Section 41D of the CrPC and Section 38 of the BNSS, along with applicable provisions under special laws.
Author's summary: Supreme Court issues notice on PIL for guaranteed legal counsel.