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 on Monday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre, bringing together judicial officers, government officials, legal professionals, academics and civil society representatives.
Organised by the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice, the workshop aimed to strengthen access to justice through technology-enabled services and promote informed dialogue among stakeholders.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal attended the event as Chief Guest. He was joined by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Arun Palli.
Addressing the gathering, Meghwal underlined that access to justice must reach every citizen, regardless of location. He stressed the importance of legal awareness, expansion of pro bono services and effective use of technology under the Tele-Law initiative to ensure inclusive justice delivery. Referring to constitutional principles, he said the right to justice should remain central to all such programmes and called for more focused workshops to expand the network of pro bono lawyers.
The programme began with a ceremonial lamp-lighting and a cultural presentation of “Vande Mataram” to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s national song. In his welcome address, the Secretary (Justice) highlighted the constitutional mandate under Articles 14, 21 and 39A, and emphasised the role of the DISHA scheme in ensuring affordable and timely justice, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
An informational video was screened during the workshop to raise awareness about the Tele-Law service and its integration with the Nyaya Bandhu programme. The presentation outlined how Nyaya Sahayaks and pro bono advocates are helping connect beneficiaries with legal professionals and facilitating pre-litigation legal advice at the grassroots level.
Several panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) associated with Tele-Law were felicitated for their contributions to strengthening last-mile justice delivery and promoting legal awareness.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the need to reduce court pendency and unnecessary litigation by promoting timely disposal of cases and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. He noted that Tele-Law has benefited over 7.5 lakh people across nearly 4,000 panchayats in the Union Territory and said continued collaboration with the Department of Justice would further strengthen the initiative.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by the Joint Secretary, who acknowledged the support of the judiciary, local administration, Common Services Centres (CSCs), legal services authorities, academic institutions and other stakeholders. Officials said the event marked an important step towards enhancing digital and inclusive access to justice in Jammu and Kashmir.
