Chief Justice of India-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday attended the Legal Services Day, organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is also the Executive Chairman of NALSA; Supreme Court judge and Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, Justice B.R. Gavai; and Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, were among the host of dignitaries, who attended the event in the premises of the Supreme Court.
Legal Services Day marked the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 that aimed to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society.
Speaking on the occasion, Meghwal commended the efforts of the legal services institutions and emphasised upon the importance of ensuring ‘ease of justice’ as a vital element of ‘ease of living’. He assured of the Ministry’s continued support to NALSA towards efforts to ensure equal access to justice for marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Justice B.R. Gavai, who is slated to take over as
Executive Chairman, NALSA, highlighted the crucial role played by NALSA in the recognition of rights of citizens, stressing that the process of providing legal aid should be hassle-free.
Supreme Court judges – Justice Surya Kant, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Abhay S Oka; members of the Central Authority of NALSA; Secretary General of the Supreme Court; Secretary, Department of Justice; Member Secretary, NALSA; and Officers on Special Duty, NALSA, graced the occasion.
Patron-in-Chief and Executive Chairmen of different State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA) as well as Chairpersons, High Court Legal Services Committees also graced the occasion virtually.
Member Secretaries and other officers of different SLSAs; Secretaries of High Court Legal Services Committees; District Legal Services Authorities and Taluka Legal Services Committees, along with panel lawyers, LADCs and PLVs, also attended the program virtually.