(HPNLU, SHIMLA-AZIM PREMJI FOUNDATION) Context Liberty is the foundational principle of Indian Constitution. It is the quintessence which defines what it means to be human and to remain human. Concept of liberty is not simply a metaphysical doctrine but the first necessity to perpetually realize what is divine in human and what is humane in divine. Indian Constitution was envisioned with the spirit to realize the “swaraj” not simply in ephemeral sense to achieve the independence of the country from the foreign rulers but to establish an ideal Constitution for the protection and enrichment of human dignity and the incremental realization of liberty and consequently social, economic, and political justice. Keeping in mind the above background and the role of academic institutions, especially Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Azim Premji Foundation (APF) in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla (HPNLU) is implementing a project titled – Court and Civil Liberties Project (the Project)to facilitate the realization of the constitutional mandate of Access to Justice for All. About Azim Premji Foundation APF is a not-for-profit organisation with a vision to contribute towards a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. The work of APF is focused on India. APF’s vision guides us to work through a range of initiatives that seek to make a difference to the lives of people in India and contribute to developing a society that we have pledged to ourselves in the Constitution. About Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) Shimla, was established by the State Government in the year 2016, by an Act of the Legislature (Act 16 of 2016). The University is dedicated to develop law graduates capable of integrating knowledge of legal theory, practical skill and professional values; fostering an intellectual culture that bridges theory with practice and contributing to social, cultural, economic and legal development which enhance the quality of life of people nationally and globally. About the Project: Court and Civil Liberties Project The goal of the project is to facilitate free and effective legal representation to the under-trial prisoners in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The project aims to facilitate in releasing the prisoners from the jails and to provide effective legal representation till the completion of their cases, including appeal, review, and revision, if required. Through a team of lawyers and social workers, under-trial prisoners yearly shall be provided effective legal representation and other legal, social, psychological assistance so as to protect their civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The project aims to contact and provide effective access to justice for the under-trial and detained prisoners, in the first year, in the Model Central Jail, Kanda (Shimla) and Sub-Jail Kaithu (Shimla), which are nearer to the University. In the second year onwards, other jails including Solan, Kullu etc., in the State shall be covered. Geographical Scope of the Project: State of Himachal Pradesh Tenure of the Project: 3 Years (01 July,2026 till 30 June, 2029) Project Team Patron: Prof. Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, HPNLU, Shimla Project Director: Prof. (Dr.) Chanchal K. Singh, Professor of Law, HPNLU, Shimla Project Co-Director: Dr Aayush Raj, Assistant Professor of Law
(HPNLU, SHIMLA-AZIM PREMJI FOUNDATION)
Context
Liberty is the foundational principle of Indian Constitution. It is the quintessence which defines what it means to be human and to remain human. Concept of liberty is not simply a metaphysical doctrine but the first necessity to perpetually realize what is divine in human and what is humane in divine. Indian Constitution was envisioned with the spirit to realize the “swaraj” not simply in ephemeral sense to achieve the independence of the country from the foreign rulers but to establish an ideal Constitution for the protection and enrichment of human dignity and the incremental realization of liberty and consequently social, economic, and political justice.
Keeping in mind the above background and the role of academic institutions, especially Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Azim Premji Foundation (APF) in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla (HPNLU) is implementing a project titled – Court and Civil Liberties Project (the Project)to facilitate the realization of the constitutional mandate of Access to Justice for All.
About Azim Premji Foundation
APF is a not-for-profit organisation with a vision to contribute towards a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. The work of APF is focused on India.
APF’s vision guides us to work through a range of initiatives that seek to make a difference to the lives of people in India and contribute to developing a society that we have pledged to ourselves in the Constitution.
About Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) Shimla, was established by the State Government in the year 2016, by an Act of the Legislature (Act 16 of 2016). The University is dedicated to develop law graduates capable of integrating knowledge of legal theory, practical skill and professional values; fostering an intellectual culture that bridges theory with practice and contributing to social, cultural, economic and legal development which enhance the quality of life of people nationally and globally.
About the Project: Court and Civil Liberties Project
The goal of the project is to facilitate free and effective legal representation to the under-trial prisoners in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The project aims to facilitate in releasing the prisoners from the jails and to provide effective legal representation till the completion of their cases, including appeal, review, and revision, if required. Through a team of lawyers and social workers, under-trial prisoners yearly shall be provided effective legal representation and other legal, social, psychological assistance so as to protect their civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of India. The project aims to contact and provide effective access to justice for the under-trial and detained prisoners, in the first year, in the Model Central Jail, Kanda (Shimla) and Sub-Jail Kaithu (Shimla), which are nearer to the University. In the second year onwards, other jails including Solan, Kullu etc., in the State shall be covered.
Geographical Scope of the Project: State of Himachal Pradesh
Tenure of the Project: 3 Years (01 July,2026 till 30 June, 2029)
Project Team
Patron: Prof. Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, HPNLU, Shimla
Project Director: Prof. (Dr.) Chanchal K. Singh, Professor of Law, HPNLU, Shimla
Project Co-Director: Dr Aayush Raj, Assistant Professor of Law