Supreme Court judge Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Tuesday highlighted the importance of providing platforms of interaction between the legal aid counsels and the jail inmates through Video Conferencing facility, saying that the undertrials also have a right to interact with their counsels.
Justice Gavai said this while chairing a workshop held by the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) for panel lawyers focusing on digitalization in legal aid and enhancing quality of legal aid.
Justice Gavai, who is also the Executive Chairman of SCLSC, stated that the primary purpose of today’s workshop was to identify the legal aid issues and to find means to address them at the earliest.
He emphasised that in the near future a mechanism will be established where one can give feedback and share about the working of the committee.
He highlighted that the Advocates on Record of the SCLSC were the pillars of strength and its voice.
Justice Gavai also delved upon the concept of Nyaya and Niti with special reference to the work of economist Amartya Sen. The workshop sessions, aimed at lawyers associated with the SCLSC, focused on making them proficient in the Committee’s digital initiatives and discussing the broader framework of quality legal aid.
Highlighting the principles enshrined in the India Constitution, Justice Gavai referred to the quote of Justice Vivian Bose, “The Constitution is not for the exclusive benefit of governments and states… it also exists for the common man, for the poor and the humble… for the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker.”
The event served as a platform for panel lawyers of SCLSC to understand and integrate digital tools into their practice, enhancing the efficiency and reach of legal services.
Vibha Datta Makhija gave the welcome address and narrated about the historic evolution of SCLSC.
The working session on overview of digital initiatives was conducted by Yajuvender Singh, Secretary, SCLSC, and the working session on Quality of Legal Aid was carried out by Kiran Suri, Senior Advocate.
The workshop saw the participation of Advocates on Record. This workshop marks a pivotal step in the SCLSC’s efforts to modernize legal aid services, ensuring that they remain robust, responsive, and respectful of the community’s needs.