Delhi State Legal Services Authority celebrates 25 years of existence; launches e-comic, Legal Aid Express

To commemorate and celebrate 25 years of its existence, the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) on Monday kicked off initiatives such as Legal Aid Express and an e-comic for school children. .At an event held in the presence of the Supreme Court judge and Executive Chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Justice NV Ramana; Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and Patron-in-Chief of DSLSA Justice DN Patel, and Delhi High Court judge and Executive Chairperson of the DSLSA Justice Vipin Sanghi, the front offices of the District Legal Services Authorities at various court complexes of Delhi were also inaugurated..A balloon carrying the name and motto of the DSLSA was suspended mid-air at the Rouse Avenue Courts complex..The event also saw the presence of judges of the Delhi High Court, Principal District and Sessions Judges of all districts of Delhi, Principal Judges of Family Courts, District Judges (Commercial Courts), and officers of the Central and Delhi governments. .While delivering his presidential address, Justice NV Ramana stated that there were around 48,227 lawyers empanelled with Legal Services Authorities throughout India who were providing legal assistance to the marginalised sections of society. .There are 3,175 pro-bono lawyers at the district level, 437 at the High Court level, and 86 at the Supreme Court level, he added. .Justice Ramana stated that the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System was to be implemented in 17 districts across the country on a pilot basis for two years. 1,600 cases have been handled during the year 2020 alone, he pointed out..Speaking about the importance of front offices, Justice Ramana apprised the gathering that as on date, 1,170 front offices were operational across India and more than 1,46,000 persons have been provided legal assistance during 2020..Justice Ramana appreciated the effort put in by the Legal Services Authorities with respect to the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism. He said that from November 2019 to February 2021, approximately 49,04,089 cases were disposed of, including 26,89,659 pending cases in Lok Adalats held across the country..During the same period, a total of Rs 218.81 crore was awarded as compensation to victims, the judge added..Assistance to 57,79,546 migrants in terms of transit, food and medical aid were also provided in coordination with the district administration, it was said..Justice Ramana also stated that during 2020, legal assistance was provided by legal services authorities to 76,087 arrested persons across India.