This significant meet in perspective of Indian Judiciary is the reflection of mainstreaming of J&K and Ladakh in the discourse of development in India: CJI
Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, the Chief Justice of India delivered the inaugural address of the 19th All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet at Srinagar, today. Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha; Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.); Union MoS for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Judges of Supreme Court also graced the occasion and addressed the meet. The Chief Justice of India congratulated the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and J&K Legal Services Authority for organizing the meet and bringing together the wealth of learning and experience of Indian Judiciary.
“This significant meet in the perspective of the Indian Judiciary is the reflection of mainstreaming of J&K and Ladakh in the discourse of development in India,” the CJI said. Our Constitution seeks to create social order based on the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Social Justice. The Indian Constitution recognized the fundamental rights of every individual regardless of their social and economic status, he observed. The CJI expressed gratitude to NALSA, all the office bearers, members of Legal Services Authorities, lawyers, para-legal volunteers for striving to make the constitutional goal of social justice a reality.
Addressing the meet, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha lauded the efforts of Legal Services Authorities to achieve the Constitutional goal under Article 39 (A) to provide free legal aid to weaker sections of society and also ensuring welfare of people and upholding justice and social equity. State Legal Services Authorities have also ensured the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity through Lok Adalat, public outreach and mediation, he added.
He also appreciated the efforts to strengthen the Legal Aid movement and generating legal literacy among the people, especially in far flung and rural areas of J&K. Given the lack of awareness in far flung areas, the people are being made aware about their rights, which have empowered the rural poor, he said. Brig.(Dr.)B.D.Mishra (Retd.), Lt Governor of Ladakh, commended the National Legal Services Authority for its efforts in ensuring access to Justice to the weak, poor and marginalized.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union MoS for Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, said the All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet at Srinagar will prove to be a milestone in the future journey of National Legal Services Authority. He highlighted the steps taken to overhaul the functioning of Indian Justice Delivery System and further laid emphasis on strengthening the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System.
Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tashi Rabstan, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh presented a detailed insight on Legal Aid Movement in India and the working of the Legal Services Authorities across the country.
A manual for District Legal Services Authorities functioning across the country was also released on the occasion. Judges of Supreme Court of India; Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts from across the country; members of Judiciary, legal experts, senior officials of Police and Civil administration attended the inaugural session.
