CM Fadnavis’ Legal Aid Initiative Lights the Path to Justice for Undertrial Prisoners; 20,000 Beneficiaries Across Maharashtra

Mumbai : In a pioneering move towards justice reform, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis initiated India’s first Legal Aid Programme for Undertrial Prisoners in 2018, which has since positively impacted nearly 20,000 undertrial inmates. Of these, 9,000 inmates – nearly 45% – have been released through legal processes.

The success of this initiative has drawn national recognition, with the Central Government adopting the programme and allocating financial support for its implementation across the country.

According to the Prison Statistics India Report 2021, India’s prisons are overcrowded at an average of 130% capacity, with around 77% of the prison population comprising undertrials. Recognizing this, CM Fadnavis held discussions with philanthropist Azim Premji and launched the legal aid initiative in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation – marking a first-of-its-kind partnership in India.

Many undertrials remain behind bars not because of a conviction, but due to lack of legal representation or inability to post bail. This initiative is bridging that gap by ensuring these individuals have access to proper legal procedures and support.

The programme, in partnership with Azim Premji Foundation, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and National Law University, Delhi, is currently being implemented across eight major prisons in Maharashtra – including Arthur Road, Byculla, Kalyan, Taloja, Latur, Thane, Pune, and Nagpur. Legal fellows and social workers are deployed within these prisons and local legal aid authorities to assist inmates with case preparation, court processes, and securing effective legal representation.

This model has led to foundational improvements in the legal aid system, fostering better coordination between services and increasing access to justice for marginalized and vulnerable inmates. Recognizing the success, the state government has renewed its MoU with the Azim Premji Foundation, and the initiative is now being expanded further with a long-term strategy.

The next phase of the programme will focus on:

• Strengthening information management systems
• Enhancing the effectiveness of prison legal clinics
• Building institutional capacity for sustained impact

With this innovative legal aid model, the Home Department’s Prison Reforms Wing in Maharashtra has set a national benchmark in legal aid and accessibility, demonstrating how proactive governance can uphold justice even for the most overlooked sections of society.