Written by: Shivam Mishra (Intern)
Edited by: Anubhav Yadav (Content Head & Developer)
On Saturday, Supreme Court judge Justice U.U. Lalit stated that every single police station in the nation must have demonstration boards informing about the right to legal aid and the accessibility and obtainability of free legal aid services. Justice Lalit is the Executive Chairman at National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). He stated during the release of the posters containing statistics about the right to legal aid and the availability of free legal aid services.
NALSA has been established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to hoard free legal services to weaker sections of society. It aims to ensure that prospects for fortifying justice are not denied to any citizen by reasons of economic or other disabilities.
In every State, the State Legal Services Authority has been constituted to offer effect to the policies and directions of the NALSA and delivers free legal amenities. Authority is regulated by the Honorable Chief Justice of the respective High Court who is the supporter in Chief of the State Legal Service Authority. In every district, District Legal Services Authority has been constituted to implement Legal Services Programs within the District. The District Legal Amenities Authority is located in the District Court Compound in every District and is Oversaw by the District Judge of the particular district.
Justice U.U. Lalit’s address was the fragment of the event organized by the Haryana Legal Services Authority (HALSA), to launch a year-long campaign on the topic under the aegis of NALSA the Excellence of Legal Services is the key to admittance to justice for all. Throughout the event, Justice Lalit unconstrained an enlightening video on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, and an animated video on right to free legal aid.
Justice U.U. Lalit was requested as the chief guest to the occurrence systematized by the Haryana Legal Service Authority (HALSA), wherein he inducted a year-long Campaign. While inaugurating the programs, Justice Lalit observed that the continued pandemic has taught us to innovate and improvise. He stated that now all the activities including the launched programs are supported by technology and virtual platforms, which may be a correct measure to require in these challenging times. During his inaugural address, Justice Lalit recalled Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on 101st death anniversary and stated that “if, in the 1890s, the Judge’s library of the Bombay High Court could be opened for Lokmanya Tilak to afford him an opportunity in present times.” He further emphasized on strengthening of legal services institutions to provide early access to justice at pre-arrest and arrest stage to make sure assistance at a time when the person is most vulnerable. The posters are going to be installed at police stations across Haryana.
The apex court judge Justice Lalit, who is next within the line to be the Chief Justice of India as per the seniority norms said that such boards or posters are the opening step in the course to ensure that no accused remains disenfranchised during any stage of the criminal investigation and the trial, so that every prospect is afforded an opportunity to defend himself.