Justice For All

Tele-law is a service that uses video conferencing facilities and telephone services to connect lawyers to litigants who need legal advice. This service aims to reach out to the needy, especially the marginalized and disadvantaged. Under the auspices of the “Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman” initiative, a Tele-Law cum mela was organized at Amar Singh College, Srinagar. This event, held on Tuesday, garnered significant attention and as it highlighted the importance of justice for all. Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh shed light on the innovative approach of Tele-Law in reaching the unreached sections of society. Tele-Law, he emphasized, has emerged as a powerful tool in providing legal assistance and information to those who have limited access to legal services. Notably, Tele-Law has already served over 70 lakh beneficiaries nationwide, with more than 4 lakh individuals in Jammu and Kashmir alone benefiting from its services. Justice Singh stressed the need for continuity in organizing such workshops at the district and panchayat levels to ensure widespread access to justice for all. He underscored the constitutional and statutory obligations of authorities to support and uplift marginalized sections of society, reaffirming the commitment to justice for every citizen. Pertinently, Tele-Law plays a pivotal role in bridging the justice gap by leveraging technology to provide legal information and assistance to individuals in remote areas. Through online platforms and consultations, it empowers marginalized communities and raises awareness about legal rights and duties. By facilitating online dispute resolution and legal consultations, Tele-Law promotes equitable access to justice for all, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status. Furthermore, Justice Singh highlighted the importance of legal awareness among college students, emphasizing the need for them to be well-versed in their constitutional rights and duties. Legal literacy among youth, he noted, is essential for fostering a culture of respect for the rule of law and ensuring the protection of individual rights. Therefore, increasing awareness about Tele-Law requires a multi-faceted approach aimed at reaching diverse segments of society. Therefore, there is a need to launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns using various media channels such as television, radio, newspapers, social media, and outdoor advertising. These campaigns should highlight the benefits and availability of Tele-Law services, targeting both urban and rural populations. Deploying sufficient mobile vans equipped with Tele-Law facilities to remote and underserved areas is the need of the hour alongside conducting outreach programs in villages and marginalized communities to provide on-the-spot legal assistance. Also, there is a need to conduct training sessions for local volunteers, paralegals, and community leaders to serve as Tele-Law ambassadors. They need to be equipped with knowledge about legal rights, Tele-Law procedures, and how to assist community members in accessing legal services. The authorities should also introduce Tele-Law awareness programs in schools and colleges to educate students. This can be done by organising workshops, debates, and essay competitions on legal literacy topics to engage students and build a culture of legal awareness from a young age.