The Chief Justice of India, H L Dattu said that a strong, effective and controlled legal system is essential to guarantee access to justice without discrimination. He also pointed out that such effective and strong legal system that maintains the rule of law without fear is the fundamental feature of democracy. On Monday, hon’ble justice stated that it is also important that we need a democratized legal system that gives justice equally like equal impartial, equal swift and equal effective. He was rendering his opinion when writing the message on Legal Services Day on Monday.
CJI is also the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA or National Legal Services Authority. He said that though many efforts are being taken to break down the traditional practice from the time of independence, there remains disparities and many group of people continue even today as vulnerable sections. We live in a society with complexities and diversities, there are many more things to be done for moving ahead, he added. H L Dattu also stated that many group of people are exposed to abuse and exploitation. Hence it is necessary to provide these sections with equal access to justice as that of others. The CJI also listed seven new schemes that are being introduced by NALSA and said that this authority is taking steps to guarantee equal and healthy access to justice by finding out the deserving persons. He also highlighted some of the articles of Indian Constitution while expressing his opinion.
CJI said that keeping the constitutional mandates in mind, NALSA has introduced the schemes with an objective to bridge the gap that exists between declared rights and intended beneficiaries by engaging group of lawyers as well as para legal volunteers. CJI said that the seven schemes include Victims of the Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Scheme 2015, Child Friendly Legal Services, Legal Services to the Victims of Drug Abuse, Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Scheme 2015, Legal Services to the Workers in the Unorganised Sector Scheme 2015, Legal Services to the Mentally Challenged , Protection and Enforcement of Tribal Rights Scheme 2015 and holding workshop on actualization.
Adv. Jewel Panicker
