Srinagar: A regional event-cum-workshop under the Tele-Law initiative of the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here on Tuesday to strengthen technology-enabled legal services and promote inclusive justice delivery in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme was organised by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, as part of its efforts to expand legal awareness and facilitate access to justice through digital platforms.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and MoS for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal attended the event as the chief guest. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, were also present.
The event began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a cultural presentation of “Vande Mataram.” In his welcome address, the Secretary (Justice), Department of Justice, highlighted the constitutional mandate under Articles 14, 21 and 39A, emphasising the role of the DISHA scheme in ensuring accessible, affordable and timely justice, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
An informational film on the Tele-Law programme was screened, highlighting its integration with the Nyaya Bandhu initiative and the role of Nyaya Sahayaks in connecting citizens with legal professionals and pro bono advocates for pre-litigation advice.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said every citizen has the right to justice under the Constitution and stressed that timely resolution of disputes is essential. He noted that Tele-Law services have already reached over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries across nearly 4,000 panchayats and can help reduce unnecessary litigation and court pendency.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal underscored the importance of technology in bringing legal services closer to citizens and said initiatives such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu and legal literacy programmes help realise the vision of social and economic justice. He emphasised that access to justice must reach every citizen irrespective of geography through legal awareness, expanded pro bono services and digital platforms.
Justice Arun Palli and other speakers also highlighted the need for stronger coordination among the judiciary, administration and civil society to improve last-mile justice delivery.
During the programme, panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) associated with the Tele-Law initiative were felicitated for their contribution in spreading legal awareness and facilitating legal assistance at the grassroots level.
The workshop brought together judicial officers, advocates, administrators, law students, civil society representatives and Common Service Centre functionaries for deliberations on strengthening the legal aid ecosystem. Technical sessions focused on the functioning of Tele-Law services and improving outreach through digital platforms.
