Introduction of the Project

 
The National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, has embarked on a comprehensive and transformative initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of prolonged undertrial detention while simultaneously strengthening the quality of legal education and professional preparedness of young lawyers in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand’s prisons are currently functioning under extreme pressure, with an occupancy rate of nearly 118.8%. A substantial proportion of those incarcerated are undertrial prisoners, many of whom have remained behind bars for years due to systemic gaps such as inadequate access to legal representation, procedural delays in securing bail, and a lack of awareness about their legal rights and remedies. At the same time, the state’s legal ecosystem faces another critical challenge: a large number of first-generation lawyers, particularly from Adivasi and Dalit communities, struggle to find meaningful mentorship and practical exposure to litigation. Their limited access to skill-based training and professional networks has hindered their capacity to effectively represent the very marginalized communities they often come from.

To address these interconnected challenges, NUSRL has designed a comprehensive project. On one front, the initiative seeks to provide direct legal aid to over 400 undertrial prisoners housed in Ranchi Central Jail and Khunti Sub Jail, with a strong emphasis on securing bail, expediting case resolution, and ensuring that justice is not indefinitely delayed. On the other front, the University is launching a six-month Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program tailored for 175 young lawyers across the state. This program will deliver advanced training in litigation skills, hands-on mentorship, and exposure to real-world legal practice, thereby bridging the critical gap between academic knowledge and courtroom practice.

Beyond individual-level support, the project is also designed to act as a catalyst towards broader systemic reforms. It will actively engage with Undertrial Review Committees (UTRCs) to ensure accountability and timely reviews of cases, while also conducting a district-level survey of courts to analyse caseload patterns and structural bottlenecks in the justice delivery system. These findings will serve as the foundation for policy advocacy and recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional responses to undertrial detention.

By combining direct interventions with undertrial prisoners, capacity-building for young legal professionals, and evidence-driven systemic reform, NUSRL aspires to make justice more accessible, empower marginalized communities, and leave a sustainable impact on Jharkhand’s legal and judicial landscape.