Leh: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant interacted with officers and soldiers of the Fire and Fury Corps at Raina Auditorium in Leh on Saturday, underlining the importance of close coordination between the judiciary and the Armed Forces.
The programme was attended by Vinai Kumar Saxena, Arun Palli, Justices Sanjeev Kumar, Sindhu Sharma and Shahzad Azeem, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, Director General of Police Mukesh Singh and Hitesh Bhalla, among others.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla described it as a privilege to host the “guardians of the nation’s judicial system” and reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding national integrity while extending support to the judiciary.
In his address, Chief Justice Arun Palli said the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces are beyond comparison and deserve the highest respect and sensitivity. He referred to the launch of the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana during the North Zone Conference held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in July last year, saying it had given fresh momentum to efforts aimed at making the legal system more accessible.
Justice Palli said that since the launch of the scheme, 205 matters related to the Armed Forces Tribunal have been disposed of by the High Court. He also highlighted the role of “Veer Naris” in strengthening the legal aid movement in the country.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Surya Kant paid tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers and recalled the legacy of the Battle of Rezang La. Stressing that justice must reach every soldier, he said access to justice under Article 39A of the Constitution is a fundamental right.
The Chief Justice highlighted several initiatives, including the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana and Nyaya Aapke Dwaar, aimed at providing legal assistance to Army personnel, ex-servicemen and their families, particularly in remote and far-flung areas.
He also underlined the need for a trained paralegal workforce and encouraged the inclusion of paralegal volunteers within Army units. Ex-servicemen willing to contribute, he said, could also join as paralegal volunteers.
Referring to the increasing use of technology in the justice delivery system, the Chief Justice said India has made significant progress in using technology, including Artificial Intelligence-based translation tools across multiple languages, to improve access to justice.
During an interactive session, Army personnel raised queries relating to legal access for soldiers posted in remote border areas and opportunities for professional growth in the legal field. Responding to the questions, the Chief Justice said Army personnel and their families could avail legal support through various schemes and also noted that cases can now be filed online from anywhere in the country.
He further advised the younger generation to pursue the legal profession with patience, dedication and a spirit of service.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Sudhanshu Sharma.
Later, a Barakhana was organised for the troops at Sonam Wangchuk Stadium. The programme featured martial arts performances, including the Khukri Dance by Gorkha troops, Spao Dance, Kalaripayattu and Gatka by personnel of the Fire and Fury Corps, followed by an interaction with officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks.
