National Legal Services

Authority (NALSA)

ANNUAL
REPORT
20
21
 OUR PRESENCE
State Legal Supreme Court High Court District Legal Taluk Legal
Services Legal Services Legal Services Services Services
Authorities Committee Committees Authorities Committees

37 1 39 672 2,282
Free legal aid,
advice,
Social Justice counselling
Legal
Litigation awareness

Outreach What we do? Conducting Lok

programmes Adalats

Preventive &
Strategic Promoting other
intervention ADR methods
programmes

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Annual Report 2020-2021  3
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 6  Annual Report 2020-2021
 OVERVIEW
Inculcating the ideals of Access to Justice for all online portals, apps and increasing our social
within the Indian Legal System, as established media presence.
in 1995, National Legal Services Authority
Introduction of e-camps for legal awareness,
(NALSA) completed 25 years of promoting
E-Lok Adalats, mediation sessions through
access to justice for weaker and marginalised
video conferencing and interactions with
sections. The Legal Services Authorities were
panel lawyers electronically, became common
conceptualized to realize the constitutional
practice. In addition to legal aid and assistance
vision of access to justice to every individual of
duties, Legal Services Institutions (LSIs) across
the society. The terms “Access to Justice” has
the countries, in coordination with District
been expanded by NALSA, wherein it is not
Administrations and various stakeholders
constrained to litigation, but now embraces
conducted relief activities during the Covid
legal awareness, literacy, social action litigation,
pandemic and the resulting lockdown. Ration
and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
packets, masks, medicines, etc. were provided
mechanisms, among more. Achieving the 25-
to the needy and the stranded labourers
year milestone, however, was a monumental
were helped to get home. Instrumental to the
task, requiring constant adaptations to
functioning of LSIs, the Para Legal Volunteers
various hurdles faced over the years. NALSA
(PLVs) and Panel Lawyers played a pivotal role
embraced any required changes and faced
in making these efforts a success.
these challenges with its unique approach and
innovation in the field of legal aid and justice. As we enter a new decade in 2021, in
addition to our conventional legal aid delivery
With the Pandemic raging in 2020, It became of
mechanisms, NALSA aims to inculcate new
challenge for the legal services institutions as
technologies and venture into new avenues
for the world. Carrying out our duties to help
where digital mediums shall be at the forefront
the marginalized sections of society became a
of access to legal aid and assistance. As the
considerably important highlight of our work
world faces new challenges, NALSA shall
across the country. Evolving our established
articulate metamorphose into opportunities to
practices became a norm as we introduced our
move forward.
services online, embracing the development of

Member Secretary
NALSA

Annual Report 2020-2021  7

 VISION
To promote an inclusive legal system in order
to ensure fair and meaningful justice to the
marginalized and disadvantaged sector.

MISSION
To legally empower the marginalized
and excluded groups of the society by
providing effective legal representation,
legal literacy and awareness and bridging
the gap between the legally available
benefits and the entitled beneficiaries.
To strengthen the system of Lok Adalats
and other Alternate Dispute Resolution
mechanisms in order to provide for
informal, quick, inexpensive and effective
resolution of disputes.
 INDEX
S. No Content Page No. (s)
1 Services During Covid-19 Lockdown 11 – 21
2 Adaptive Initiative of 2020 22 – 28

• E-Lok Adalat - Inculcating Technology and Adaption with Time

3 Women Empowerment through Legal Awareness 29 – 31

• A Collaborative effort with NCW

4 Standardisation of Reporting 32 - 33

• Releasing NALSA’s Handbook of Formats: Ensuring Effective Legal

Services
5 Recapturing the Year 34 – 35

• Legal Aid and Advice: Court Based Legal Services

• Legal Awareness Programmes 36
• Lok Adalats 37 – 38
• Mediation 39 – 44
6 Citizen Centric Services 45 – 46

• Front Offices
• Legal Services Clinics 47
7 Our Workforce 48 - 50
8 Victim Compensation: Emancipation through Justice 51 – 52
9 Legal Empowerment Camps 53 - 54
10 Legal Aid to Suspects & Accused 55 – 58

• Prison Based Services

• Legal Aid Defense Counsel System 59 – 60

Annual Report 2020-2021  9

 11 Strengthening the Legal Services Institutions 61

• Capacity Building
• Legal Awareness Programmes 61 – 62
• Innovative Initiatives to Spread Awareness 62
• Capacity Building Webinars 62 – 63
12 Unique Initiatives by SLSAs/DLSAs 64 – 73
13 Other Highlights 74

• Outreach Social Media Tools /Digital Platform

• Pro-bono Legal Services 74
• Legal Assistance Centre 74
• Para Legal Volunteers 75
• Timely Disposal of RTI appeals 75
• Celebration of Important Days 75 – 76
14 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 77
15 Way Forward 78

 10  Annual Report 2020-2021

 SERVICES DURING
COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
“Seva Parmo Dharma”
People have lost their livelihood. With the loss of
their livelihood, migrant workers had to return to
their villages and faced multiple issues such as social
boycotts. Forced isolation has led to an increase in
domestic violence cases. Many victims are finding
themselves isolated in violent homes, without access
to resources, friends or family.
- Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana

During March-June 2020, we encountered the workers, who required help in various forms.
wrath of a global pandemic and witnessed During this period, the LSAs were at the fore
one of the strictest lockdowns in terms of front, providing assistance in legal and non-
restrictions on movement of persons. The legal issues. The non-legal issues which had
lockdown was imposed to contain the spread the potential to trigger legal issues were
of Coronavirus, effects of which were unknown addressed.
to the country.
In this context, Legal Services Authorities had
The restrictions and the raging pandemic to rethink in terms of its mode of functioning.
created unfamiliar and challenging Many of its activities, imperative for achieving
circumstances in day-to-day lives of people. access to justice for all had to be shifted from
Needless to emphasize, the wrath of pandemic offline to online mode. Through technological
was directly proportional to the vulnerability of
individuals in our society. Vulnerable sections
of society such as women, children, senior
citizens, laborers, daily wage earners, etc.
faced unprecedented issues, which required a
timely and effective resolution. The lockdown
also created a unique vulnerable class i.e.,
stranded persons, who were stuck away from
their native places. A cumulative effect of all
the issues was also seen on lakhs of migrant

Annual Report 2020-2021  11

 interventions, the Legal Services Authorities and coordinated with other Govt. departments
offered legal advice and assistance, carried and NGOs. Teams of panel lawyers and PLVs
out outreach and legal awareness activities reached out to the needy in remote areas.

Role of State Legal Services Authorities during Pandemic

Bihar State Legal Services Authorities under guest of honor, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Karol,
the aegis of NALSA organized a Webinar on The Chief Justice, Patna High Court and Patron-
“Role of State Legal Services Authorities during in-Chief, Bihar State Legal Services Authority,
Pandemic” on 22nd August 2020 wherein Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, Judge,
Chief Guest Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana, Patna High Court-cum-Executive Chairman,
Executive Chairman, NALSA, Hon’ble Mr. Justice BSLSA, Hon’ble Judges of Patna High Court and
Navin Sinha, Judge, Supreme Court of India as other distinguished persons participated.

Assistance to Victims of
Domestic Violence
The Legal Services Authorities observed a rise
in number of domestic violence cases during
the initial phase of lockdown.

Such cases were brought to the notice of LSAs.

Urgent response strategies were deployed
to resolve the existing cases as well as to
prevent further rise and no. of cases. The Legal

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Services Authorities provided legal assistance was to resolve the issues through counselling
to victims of domestic violence. Grievances and mediation. However, in aggravated
were received mainly through the National situations, proper recourse was taken in
Legal Aid Helpline No. 15100 and State Legal assistance with the concerned authorities.
Aid Helpline Numbers. Legal aid & assistance was provided in 2,925
domestic violence cases from April to June.
Due to limited functioning of courts during the
lockdown, the primary approach of the LSAs

Assistance Provided in
Getting Reliefs Under DV Act
Legal Services Authorities encountered a
number of cases, wherein either the aggrieved
person specifically demanded or the LSAs
identified that an application for reliefs under
PWDV Act was to be made. The panel lawyers
assisted number of aggrieved persons in getting
reliefs such as residence order, maintenance
order, protection order, etc. For instance, a
woman approached [Link], Kupwara of J&K,
wherein the legal aid counsel assisted her with
drafting of a petition seeking residence order
as well as maintenance. The legal aid counsel
provided continuous ad consistent legal
assistance till an order was passed in favor of
the aggrieved lady.

Assistance Provided to
Migrant Workers
The migrant workers were one of the worst hit native places during the raging pandemic.
groups by the pandemic and the subsequent
The suffering of the migrant workers was
lockdowns which ensued. With workplaces
noticed by Legal Services Authorities, who
shut down due to the lockdown imposed in the
stepped in to provide any possible form of
country, migrant workers had to deal with the
assistance including distribution of COVID
loss of income, food shortages and uncertainty
prevention kits, food, shelter, payment of
about their future. With all these uncertainties,
wages, travel arrangements, etc. Within three
they had no option but to travel back to their

Annual Report 2020-2021  13

 months, the LSAs assisted around 57lakh jurisdictional challenges and ensured that
migrants across the country in co-ordination welfare of migrants was not affected due
with the District Administration. The issues to territorial boundaries. Members of LSAs
present amongst migrant workers posed showed gratitude to their counterparts for
a unique challenge to the LSAs. The issues helping the persons belonging to their States.
were not limited to territorial jurisdictions Total number of cases in which assistance was
of LSAs and required effective coordination provided to migrants in terms of transit, food,
amongst the LSAs in different states. The LSAs etc. 57,82,870.
displayed great coordination to overcome the

Ensuring
Payment of Wages
There were few common issues amongst the coordination with District Administration, the
migrants such as denial of payment of wages, LSAs successfully ensured payment of wages to
fear of eviction, etc., which required immediate a large number of workers. Several preventive
intervention of the Legal Services Authorities. measures were taken to stop illegal eviction
The Authorities deployed panel lawyers and of workers and the landlords/employers were
para-legal volunteers to assist the migrants advised to not to illegally remove any worker
with the necessary paperwork and to take from their premises
up the issue with the local administration. In

 14  Annual Report 2020-2021

Assistance in Terms of
Food and Essential Commodities
Certainly, arrangement of food was one of that these tasks fall beyond the mandates
the major issues during the initial phase of of LSAs, however, the pandemic has shown
pandemic. The stranded migrant workers that LSAs can step into provide any form of
had limited means and within a few days they humanitarian assistance. Reports show that at
started encountering the shortage of essential several places, members of LSAs, panel lawyers
items including food items. Throughout the and PLVs continuously ensured regular supply
country, the LSAs took initiatives to ensure of food during the entire lockdown period. This
food and ration kits were provided to the was done in co-ordination with the District
stranded workers. It is pertinent to mention Administration.

Arrangement of
Transport Facilities
Due to unavailability of means of transportation
during the initial phase of pandemic, large
number of migrant workers were facing
difficulty in going back to their native places,
the Legal Services Authorities galvanized into
arranging transport for them in coordination
with the District Administration. The LSAs

Annual Report 2020-2021  15

 assisted the workers in filling up the required travel passes. The LSAs also arranged vehicles
documents and forwarded those documents such as bus and travellers, to ensure the safe
to the District Administration for issuance of commute of workers.

Assistance Provided to
Senior Citizens
Since the very beginning of the pandemic, it
was known that the senior citizens are most
susceptible to the virus, and the highest rate
of fatalities is among older people, particularly
those with underlying medical conditions
and co-morbidities. In order to sensitize
senior citizens about the deadly virus, LSAs
undertook a various range of activities, in tune
with the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. Incidents were
also reported regarding domestic violence
against senior citizens. Also, in some cases,
they were abandoned by their families. In such to homeless elderly persons. Moreover, many
cases, LSAs promptly intervened and provided of them reached old age homes. Total number
counselling to the families of senior citizens. All of senior citizens assisted through legal
steps were taken to ensure food was provided services during April - June, 2020-1,04,084.

Assistance Provided to
Stranded Persons
After the announcement of the nationwide
lockdown to prevent the further spread of
coronavirus, large numbers of persons were
stranded in different parts of the country.
Sensing the magnitude of the problem, SLSAs
across the country took it upon themselves to
provide assistance to the stranded persons,
by coordinating amongst themselves and
with the District Administrations to make sure
those stranded people reached home. As a
standard protocol, all the stranded person

 16  Annual Report 2020-2021

were provided preventive kits to contain the in different parts of the country ensured a
spread of virus. Adequate food arrangements smooth execution though their collaborative
were made for the duration of travel were also efforts. Total Number of stranded persons
provided in appropriate cases. The LSAs located assisted during the lockdown 3,37,815.

Assistance Provided in
Restoring Salaries & Wages
One of the direct impacts of the pandemic dealt with such cases on a priority basis. All
and the movement restrictions was loss of such grievances were resolved by the State and
employment. A large number of persons lost District Legal Services Authorities within a very
their jobs during the lockdown, while others short span of time. During the lockdown, Legal
were denied their due salaries or wages by aid was provided in 1788 grievances received
their employers. The Legal Services Institutions by LSAs pertaining to denial of salaries/wages.

Annual Report 2020-2021  17

 Legal Assistance to
Prisoners
The LSAs assisted High Powered Committees
formed in pursuant to the order of Hon’ble
Supreme Court of India in Suo Moto Writ
Petition (C) No.1/2020, in identifying the
prisoners who are eligible to be released on
parole or interim bail for a period deemed
appropriate by the Committee.

The LSAs identified the appropriate cases and

during the lockdown, legal assistance was
provided to around 22,559 under trials and
convicted persons. Around 19,300 persons check-up camps were organised to identify
were provided legal assistance at the remand the specific medical needs of the inmates. To
stage. Preventive steps were taken to ensure the minimise the spread of the virus, proceedings
safety of the inmates and to contain the spread in pending criminal cases were conducted
of the virus inside the prisons. Preventive kits through virtual conferences.
were distributed inside the prisons and health

Assistance Through
Legal Aid Helpline Number
Legal Aid Helpline number to address the issues
of such persons in distress. Various cases of
domestic violence, denial of wages, and forced
evictions, etc. were commonly reported on the
helpline. The persons managing the helplines
were sensitized and trained to address the
sensitive issues of the persons in distress.
Apart from legal assistance, the helpline
was also used to provide psychological and
emotional counselling to the persons who were
emotionally disturbed due to prolonged stay
at home. Assistance was provided to around
At a time when movement of persons was
6,26,391 people through Legal Aid Helpline.
restricted, LSAs focused on strengthening the

 18  Annual Report 2020-2021

Extending Help During the Pandemic :
A Glimpse
Assistance Provided to a
Patient
DLSA Mandi received a call from a kidney matter with the District Administration and
patient, who reach the hospital. He further CMO Mandi. Prompt assistance was provided
informed that he belonged to IRDP family and in form of curfew pass etc.
had run out of money. The DLSA took up the

Legal Aid to
Victims of Domestic Violence
During Lockdown, LSAs in H.P. received a
call from a victim of domestic violence that
her husband under the influence of liquor,
committed violence on her. She further
informed that illicit liquor mafia was active in
the area providing liquor to the villagers

including her husband even during lockdown.

LSAs took up the matter with the concerned
DSP with whose assistance the site (liquor
bhatti) inside a jungle where mafia were conciliation, marital harmony between
extracting illicit liquor was destroyed. Through husband and wife was restored.

Riot Hit Victims

Rehabilidated
One of the PLVs, working at the help desks in
the riot hit areas, informed the DLSA North
East Delhi about a victim, whose house was
damaged during the riots. The family of the
victim was shifted to a camp, wherein she had
also delivered a child. Due to the pandemic, the

Annual Report 2020-2021  19

 camp was removed and the victim had to take in form of ration and shelter. The DLSA also
shelter elsewhere. On receiving the distress helped the victim in registration of her FIR.
call, the DLSA provided immediate assistance

Extending Help to
Pregnant Women
A migrant woman worker was returning to her
native place after loss of employment during the
outbreak of Covid-19. While travelling on foot
from Chhattisgarh, she reached the migrant
workers camp help desk of DLSA Anuppur,
M.P. The LSAs provided her assistance and
facilitated her check up in the district hospital.
On her request, arrangements were made to
send her to her village with the help of the local
administration.

Legal Assistance for

Availing the Tools of Empowerment
DLSA Goalpara identified 29 potential
beneficiaries for receipt of paddy reapers
machine from the Department of Welfare of
Schedule Castes, Assam. Application forms
were distributed amongst them by the DLSA.
The beneficiaries were assisted in preparation
of documents, filling up of applications etc.
Thereafter, the applications were collected and
forwarded by DLSA, Goalpara to the concerned
department. Similarly, the DLSA also identified
29potential beneficiaries for receipt for Semi- These beneficiaries were also provided due
Automatic Handloom Machine and accessories legal assistance and their applications were
from the Department of WPT and BC, Assam. forwarded to the concerned department.

 20  Annual Report 2020-2021

Ensuring Rehabilitation of a
Mentally Challenged Elderly
Person
During the lockdown, one mentally challenged
elderly person was reported to be lying on
the streets near Bahu Bazar area of Ranchi,
Jharkhand. Constituted by DLSA, Ranchi a
team was sent to Bahu Bazar area to track
the reported person and provide necessary
assistance. When the team traced the said
person, it was found that he was ill and
hungry. The DLSA provided him with food,
and coordinated with RINPAS. He was sent
to RINPAS for a proper examination and
rehabilitation.

Resolving Dispute through

Online Mediation
The online Pre-Litigation mediation was
initiated by the LSAs of MPSLSA in coordination
with NLIU, Bhopal. The first dispute was taken
up by the Member-Secretary as an empanelled
Mediator with NLIU. For the said purpose,
terms and conditions of an undertaking to be
used for online mediation had been devised
to be read out and explained to parties
before initiation of the process. At the very
first meeting, a domestic dispute between a
husband and wife was successfully resolved
through mediation.

Annual Report 2020-2021  21

 Adaptive Initiative of 2020
E-Lok Adalat - Inculcating Technology and
Adaption with Time

A multitude of people throng to the Lok Adalats

to settle their cases that are either pending
“E-Adalat has become timely
before a court, tribunal or at a pre-litigation and convinient means of
stage. However, protocols of public health
and social distancing in the ongoing pandemic
justice.”
made it difficult to conduct such face-to- - Shri Narendra Modi
face settlement of disputes. In light of the Prime Minister of India
raging pandemic, the efforts of Legal Services
Institutions were diverted to encapsulate the
technological tools in the dispensation of Legal to this ADR forum during the pandemic and
Aid Services. Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana, reduce the burden on courts by settling not
Executive Chairman, NALSA, visualised the only the pending cases but also cases which
idea of switching to Technological alternatives are at the pre-litigation stage.
and guided the Legal Services Institutions to
Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana took a hands-
inculcate the use of such technological tools,
on approach and proactively ushered his
and transform the traditional Lok Adalats into
valuable insights to Legal Services Institutions
E-Lok Adalats.
conducting their first e-Lok Adalats. Hon’ble
Due to the E-Lok Adalats, legal help and Executive Chairman also participated in the
disputes could be disposed of online. The main launch of e-Lok Adalats in Rajasthan, Karnataka
objective was to improve people’s accessibility and New Delhi.

 22  Annual Report 2020-2021

The country’s first ever e-Lok Adalat was
organised in Madhya Pradesh on 27-06-2020.
“These testing times have
Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) resulted in new innovations.
conducted their first ever E-Lok Adalat in New
Delhi on August 8, 2020, amid the restricted
We have to learn to embrace
judicial functioning owing to Covid-19 outbreak. new ways for the betterment
This unique Lok Adalat was first one in India to
be conducted full digitally on an Online Dispute
of society.”
Resolution (ODR) Platform. - Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
Sama, an ODR platform, recognized by Ministry
of Law and Justice, Government of India, was
the official technical partner for the Lok Adalat, Ms. Justice Hima Kohli, Judge High Court of
which witnessed over 70 courts from 11 Delhi & Executive Chairperson, DSLSA also
districts across Delhi settling disputes online attended the ceremony. Sh. Gautam Manan,
through Video Conferencing and E-Signatures. Special Secretary, DSLSA was present and the
A total of 5838 matters were settled, with the vote of thanks was given by Kanwal Jeet Arora,
total settlement amount crossing 46,28,23,004. Member Secretary, DSLSA
(46 +crores).
Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority
The Accomplishment Ceremony was held to (RSLSA) held the state’s first online Lok Adalat
celebrate the success of the E-Lok Adalat & in August, 2020. It was organised across the
was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Mr. state, including in the districts of Barmer,
Justice N.V. Ramana, Judge Supreme Court of Dhaulpur, Jaisalmer, Karauli, and Sirohi. In
India and Executive Chairperson, NALSA who order to provide viable access to justice and
was the Chief Guest for the event. Hon’ble Mr facilitate resolution of legal problems, the
Justice D.N. Patel, Chief Justice, High Court of first Online Lok Adalat conducted digitally on
Delhi & Patron-in-Chief, DSLSA and Hon’ble Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform.

Annual Report 2020-2021  23

 Novel modalities were prepared in order to
implement the programme successfully in
“I strongly believe, it is high
diverse state where public at large lives in time for us to consider
rural / remote areas, have minimal access of
internet and phone facilities, speaks in local
effective methods of setting
dialect or unable to understand the procedure cases in the pre-litigation
of justice administration.
stage itself.”
During his address, Hon’ble Executive
Chairman, NALSA stated “We have to ensure - Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
that E Lok Adalat remains the ‘People’s Lok
Adalat’ and take it to other parts of the country.
Introduction of Online Lok Adalat is a well- has become all the more important. In order
organised digital solution in the form of Online to ameliorate the situation, a broad range of
Dispute Resolution (ODR) which will give new legal services have to be provided to the needy
impetus to Lok Adalats in India”. His Lordship including victims of domestic violence, daily
also accentuated to ensure availability of wagers, tenants, undertrials, convicts and
Online Lok Adalats down to the grassroots migrants”.
level where the facility of video conference is
In the online Lok Adalat held, 72090 cases
not always available.
were taken up out of which 33546 cases
His Lordship further stated that “NALSA is were disposed of and a total amount of
continuously striving to ensure justice to Rs.270,09,49,313 was settled. Around 8112
be accessible in such unprecedented time matters pending in the Courts were taken up
therefore, the role of Legal Aid Institutions in the said e-Lok Adalat out of which 5838

 24  Annual Report 2020-2021

 in allowing remote contactless support to
facilitate access to justice. The techniques and
methods which we have adopted during this
time to get over this pandemic will prove to be
solutions for long-standing problems.”

In the accomplishment ceremony held, Hon’ble

Mr. Justice N.V Ramana, Executive Chairman,
NALSA, appreciated the efforts of the LSIs
and stated that the Legal Services Institutions
are meeting the immediate challenges in the
matters were disposed of and settlement of Rs justice delivery system by embracing news
5.78 crore took place. ways for the betterment of the society
At the inauguration of the Mega E-Lok Adalat E-Lok Adalat has been conceptualized in
by Karnataka SLSA, Justice Ramana stated a way that it facilitates party interaction
that, “The pandemic has caused disruptions, and exchange of information, allowing an
and forced institutions to conceptualize and opportunity to effectively solve a dispute. Pre-
adopt innovative technological solutions Lok Adalat sessions are held to identify cases
to function within the constraints of public fit for settlement and to facilitate settlement
health guidelines. The present circumstances between the parties. During the financial year,
have required the integration of technology 56 E-Lok Adalats were organised by the LSIs

Annual Report 2020-2021  25

 across the country and around 4.16 lakh cases of cases taken up and disposed followed by
have been disposed of through E-Lok Adalats. Bihar and Rajasthan.

Pre-litigation cases taken up and disposed Total cases taken up and jettisoned by the
between April 2020 – March 2021. It is pertinent E-Lok Adalats between June 2020 to March
to note that Jharkhand has the highest number 2021. Despite the prerequisite changes due to
the pandemic.

 26  Annual Report 2020-2021

Accomplishments through
E-Lok Adalats
field, connected to the E-Lok Adalat through
Disposing of an old Partition Suit mobile and got his case resolved.
Through E-Lok Adalat
One of the oldest cases that got defrayed of in Under Trial Prisoner gets his
the 1st E-Lok Adalat organised on 17.10.2020
was a 20 years old partition suit. The said
Freedom
suit was filed by ‘A’ (name withheld) against Through NALSA’s Legal Aid
his brother ‘B’ (name withheld). The value of
Tarun (name changed) was an accused in a
the suit was Rs. 7,30,000. The particular suit
Theft case who was under judicial custody
was pending since 2000. Regular counselling
for quite some time. But due to Covid-19
sessions were conducted during Pre-Lok Adalat
pandemic his case remained pending as the
Conciliation Sittings and with the support of
regular functioning of the courts had been
the counsels of both the parties, the matter
suspended. But Special e-Lok Adalat gave
got disposed of through E-Lok Adalat. The two
him an opportunity to settle his case through
brothers settled the dispute through mutual
compromise. His family members came to
understanding in an amicable manner.
the Front office of DLSA, Mahasamund and
explained the whole situation. The complainant
A Farmer’s Dispute Resolved of the concerned case was contacted through
Through E-Lok Adalat mobile and counselling sessions were
organised. After counselling complainant gave
A dispute ensued between two parties of village
his consent for compromise and appropriate
Mudpar, Durg district of Chhattisgarh, the
award was passed in the aforementioned case
dispute aggravated to an extent that the matter
by the concerned bench after the settlement
reached the police station. On the complaint
among the parties through the video
of the applicant Lochan Yadav, an offense
conferencing. Thus, Tarun was acquitted from
was registered against the accused Rajendra,
the above case and was released from the jail.
Mantu and Lekharam under sections 294, 506,
323/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Both
parties were advised to settle the case through
Lok Adalat. Being from the same village, it was
deemed appropriate to compromise. Due
to the commencement of farming work, the
applicant was not able to appear in the court
for settlement, so the case was placed in the
E-Lok Adalat. The applicant, working in his

Annual Report 2020-2021  27

 Property Dispute Settled Plaintiff’s Father Given Shop at
Amicably by Both Parties Sunkhala Building at
A property dispute arose between two parties, Himmatnagar
on the aforesaid fixed dated both the parties
When the father of the plaintiff expired, the
were present along with their counsels in
plaintiff as a legal heir, become owner of the
Online/E-Lok Adalat. Both the parties had
said shop and relation of landlord and tenant
submitted a deed of settlement agreement
thus, came into existence between the plaintiff
on 26th September 2020 which was executed
and the defendant. Due to some disputes
between them in Legal Aid Clinic, Yupia. They
regarding tenancy between the parties,
also state that they had understood the terms
plaintiff filed a Regular Civil Suit in the Court at
and conditions mention in the deed wherein
Himmatnagar claiming relief to have peaceful
Shri TakoTaram has agreed to transfer the
possession of the rented premises i.e., “a shop”.
title and ownership of the plot of land with
Meanwhile, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
RCC Hostel building located at Karsingsa,
and lock-down situation, first ever E-Lok Adalat
Banderdewa Circle and also transfer the title
was organized. Taking opportunity, though the
and ownership of the strip of the land where
appeal was heard, the said appeal was put in
the grave of their daughter is located through
E-Lok Adalat. Both the cousin brother arrived at
a gift deed to the applicant ‘A’ (Name withheld).
an amicable solution. Settlement was arrived,
It also agreed that, the applicant will clear the
which was acceptable to both cousin brother.
loan of Rs. 15,00,000/- (Rs. Fifteen Lakhs) only
Thus, the dispute between the cousin brother
including interest. They agreed to live in peace
pending for 15 years was resolved forever.
and harmony and not interfere in the life of
Both the parties were happy of the outcome.
each other.

 28  Annual Report 2020-2021

 Women Empowerment through
Legal Awareness
A Collaborative effort with NCW

A Campaign for empowerment of women had

been launched by Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V.
“The source of inequity
Ramana, Judge, Supreme Court of India and within our society often lies
Executive Chairman, NALSA on the occasion of
74th Independence Day. It was a Joint initiative
an lack of awareness and
of NALSA and National Commission for Women resource to take advantage
(NCW).
of the laws.”
On this occasion, NALSA released a “Handbook
on laws relating to Women” which will serve - Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
as a toolkit for the resource persons. The
Handbook covers copious laws relating to
objective of making women aware of relevant
women in easy-to-understand language. Apart
rights and protections available to them under
from this, other IEC materials consisting of
various laws. Another objective was to enhance
seven booklets were also released by Justice
their capacities to actualize their rights by
N.V. Ramana.
empowering them with the knowledge to
Under the Project, 675 legal literacy approach the appropriate forum for redressal
programmes for women were carried out in of their grievances. The states were selected
the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya keeping in view the NCRB data on crime against
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, women. Around 34,621 women participated in
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with the the aforesaid programme.

Annual Report 2020-2021  29

 Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana, Executive women from taking advantage of progressive
Chaiirman, NALSA stated that historically, policies. Therefore, broad-based awareness
women have been discriminated against campaigns must be undertaken along with
due to patriarchally rampant tradition and policy changes. Through these programmes,
norms. However, with the liberalisation a number of women opened up about the
and rejuvenation of women empowerment difficulties and discussed the problems they
movements, the status of women has face in their day-to-day life. In these Awareness
transformed. With economic independence camps, the required counselling and support
and education, women have a better were provided to such women in order to help
opportunity to compete with men in any field. them engage and understand the legal statutes
and laws they can use to equip themselves and
His Lordship said that the absence of
understand their rights.
information and legal awareness often prevents

Pictorial Glimpses

 30  Annual Report 2020-2021

Annual Report 2020-2021  31
 Standardisation of Reporting
Releasing NALSA’s Handbook of Formats:
Ensuring Effective Legal Services
In the year 2020-21, NALSA focussed on
enhancing the quality of legal services provided
to the marginalised sections of society. An
important aspect of attaining quality was to
ensure that measures are in place which are
aimed at ensuring the performance of work
by legal aid providers. Toward this end, NALSA
in collaboration with the Commonwealth
Human Rights Initiative prepared a handbook
to standardize and bring in uniformity in the
use of formats for appointment/ assignment
letters, duty notes etc.

The handbook titled, ‘Handbook of Formats:

Ensuring Effective Legal Services’ was released
by Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana, Executive

“This handbook is the

first crucial step towards
standardizing and bringing
in uniformity in the use of
formats. This handbook
is an effective tool for
management of human
resource and in future
will prove as a small but
significant step in realizing
justice for all.”
- Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana

 32  Annual Report 2020-2021

Chairman, National Legal Services Authority section contains formats for legal aid providers
(NALSA) at a webinar in the presence of i.e., panel lawyers, retainer lawyers, remand
Executive Chairpersons of State Legal Services lawyers, jail visiting lawyers and lawyers
Authorities, Chairpersons of High Court Legal attached to police stations and for community
Services Committees, Member Secretaries and convict paralegal volunteers. The second
of all State Legal Services Authorities, section includes formats for Legal Services
Chairpersons and Secretaries of District Legal Institutions including registers for the Front
Services Authorities. Office, attendance registers, clinics and for the
Monitoring and Mentoring Committees. The
During the release of the Handbook, Hon’ble
handbook contains formats that will enhance
Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana delivered a keynote
data collection, enabling NALSA to analyse
address wherein he brought to the fore that.
trends and patterns emanating from data, and
The handbook consists of two sections. The first
identification of issues at the very micro level.

Annual Report 2020-2021  33

 Recapturing the year
A Glimpse into our Activities
Women, Children, persons in custody, victims
Legal Aid & Advice: of disaster, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Court Based Legal Services Tribes, an industrial workman, are eligible
for free legal aid irrespective of their income.
Forming the crux of the Legal Services
Apart from this, people having income less
Authorities, Legal Aid and Advice in court based
than INR.5,00,000/- per annum can avail legal
legal services are among the fundamental
aid in Supreme Court and those having less
functions of NALSA. Maneuvering through an
than INR 3,00,000/- per annum can avail legal
unprecedented year, Legal Services activities
aid in District and High Courts. In India about
by the Legal Services Institutions at various
80% of the population is entitled to free legal
levels are being spearheaded by NALSA, under
aid.
the supervision of Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V
Ramana, Executive Chairman, NALSA. Free and competent legal aid and assistance
was provided in the form of legal representation
NALSA successfully along with the State Legal
in courts, legal advice, drafting of notices and
Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal
applications etc. During the financial year
Services Authorities (DLSAs) achieved its goal
2020-2021, the number of total beneficiaries in
of providing quality legal aid and advice to
all the States / UTs recorded as 6,31,758 lakhs.
the masses. With the onset of the pandemic
and multiple lockdowns across the country, Beneficiaries of Legal Aid are shown in this
innovative techniques and unique methods graph. With over 6 lac people reaping benefits
were introduced to tackle the various challenges of Legal services institutions despite the strict
faced by the Legal Services Authorities. restrictions of the lockdown and pandemic.

Very often intended beneficiaries of poverty

alleviation and social security measures are
unable to access the benefits due to severe
lack of capabilities, social structures, economic
marginalization and exploitation, social values,
cultural norms, etc. In this context, the role of
legal services authorities is very well suited to
facilitating access to such poverty alleviation
measures due to their last mile presence. There
are a number of schemes and emancipatory
measures with a framework for facilitating
access to the intended beneficiaries.

 34  Annual Report 2020-2021

Annual Report 2020-2021  35
 Legal Awareness Programmes

As the Executive Chairman of NALSA, Hon’ble

Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana stressed upon the
“Absence of information
aspect that “the idea of ‘access to justice’ is deeply and legal awareness often
embedded in the Constitutional vision of justice.
Legal aid is an important element in ensuring
prevents people from taking
that access to justice is available to all persons, advantage of progressive
irrespective of their social or economic position.
The concept of ‘Access to Justice’ in India is much
policies.”
broader than confining it to providing lawyers - Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
for representation before the courts. It includes
increasing legal awareness and also providing
under the law, legal awareness programmes,
legal assistance to the poor and the marginalised
campaigns and camps are held across the
for actualization of their rights and entitlements.”
country by the Legal Service Institutions.
Access to justice to all remains an imperative
The main objective of these programmes was
function of NALSA and providing legal aid and
to empower people through knowledge of the
advice encompasses only a part of securing this
law and to strengthen their capacities, so that
objective. A significant hurdle in the success of
they become capable of navigating through
this goal is the lack of legal awareness among
administrative and judicial setup for realization
the population. To educate the population on
of their rights.
their legal entitlements as well as their duties

Awareness Programmes Held during Number of Persons attended programme

the financial year 2020-2021 during the financial year 2020-21
126541 13069637

 36  Annual Report 2020-2021

Lok Adalat
Alternative Dispute Resolution is a proven There are three types of Lok Adalats-National
model to achieve amicable, speedy and cost- Lok Adalats, State Lok Adalats and Permanent
effective resolutions to disputes ranging across Lok Adalats (Public Utility Services). Cases
different spectrums. Lok Adalats are the most settled in National Lok Adalats and State Lok
common form of ADR mechanisms and have Adalats include pre-litigation and pending
successfully demonstrated their importance in matters related to Negotiable Instruments Act,
reducing the burden of the courts. bank recovery cases, labour dispute cases,
service matters, criminal compoundable
matters, MACT, etc.

Performance During the Financial Year 2020-21

No. of Lok Disposal Total

Disposal of Pre- Total Cases
Adalats of Pending Settlement
litigation cases settled
held Cases Amount (in Rs)
Lok Adalat (other than
50,451 1,42,549 6,01,524 7,44,073 42056907755
National Lok Adalat)
National Lok Adalat 1 5,90,427 7,58,366 13,48,793 41568883426
Total 50,452 7,32,976 13,59,890 20,92,866 83625791181

Permanent Lok Adalats (Public Utility

Services)

Permanent Lok Adalats for Public Utility to resolve disputes relating to public utility
Services have been established under Chapter services at the pre-litigation level.
VI-A of the Legal Services Authorities Act,

Statistical Glimpse

PLAs Cases pending as on the Cases received during Cases settled during
Functioning beginning of the financial year the financial year the financial year
355 1,02,624 58,133 40,458

Total number of cases taken and disposed of in National, State and Permanent Lok Adalats
respectively.

Annual Report 2020-2021  37

 38  Annual Report 2020-2021
Mediation “From being an outsider to
the adjudicatory process.
Another swift, cost effective and amicable
ADR mechanism, mediation offers a mutually the citizens with their direct
acceptable resolution to a dispute between
involvement will be insiders
two parties. This dispute resolution mechanism
has proved to be effective mainly due to its in the mediation process.”
confidential nature, involvement of a neutral
- Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
third party and the safe environment provided
where parties can discuss and resolve their
issues. Presently over 3.9 crore cases are
pending in various courts of the country.
ADR mechanisms, especially mediation,
offers a solution to reducing this enormous
burden on the judicial machinery of India. The
average time undertaken for disposal of cases
in conventional litigation and the constant
increase in pendency of matters, pose a major
risk of delay in justice, ultimately resulting in
denial of justice to such litigants. Mediation
being a time saving process, not only fulfils the
During the Chief Justices’ Conference of 2013,
legal objectives of the litigants but also reduces
the role of mediation as a dispute resolution
the burden on the judicial machinery. Over
system was deliberated and it was resolved
28,000 cases were settled through Mediation
that the State Legal Services Authority shall
by Legal Services Authorities across the
have the overall control and supervision of
country. At present there are 393 ADR centers
the Mediation Centres and the Mediation
and 576 Mediation Centers across the country.
Monitoring Committees at the High Court
Forming the crux of Access to Justice is the level will function in accordance with the
advent of speedy, cost-effective, and efficient directions given by the MCPC. Further, one
resolution of disputes. While traditional of the outcomes was that for the purpose
litigation has been the go-to approach for of appointment as a Mediator, an Advocate
dispute resolution in India, the alternate with five years’, instead often years’ standing,
means to such litigation has also existed since could be considered. Moreover, it was decided
time immemorial. Evolved from the traditional that steps be taken for setting up Mediation
panchayat system ADR in its current form, centres/A.D.R. Centres at the district level,
from mediation to arbitration and Lok Adalats where they are. yet to be set up. Para-legal
offers numerous ways for amicable settlement volunteers in the rural areas, and in particular
of disputes. women, are drawn from the community to
man the centres,

Annual Report 2020-2021  39

 In the present times, mediation is the most for mediation before approaching a court in
promoted form of ADR. From legislature matters which are not urgent. Further, the
to judiciary, everyone is of the unanimous Legal Services Authorities have been tasked
view that mediation is the future of dispute to conduct such pre-litigation mediations.
settlement. In this regard, the parliament has It is expected that mediation is going to gain
already provided mandatory pre-litigation a significant pace in the future with more
mediation in Commercial Courts Act, 2015, professional and qualified mediators and
wherein a party has to mandatorily take steps dedicated mediation practioners.

1039 Mediation Facilities

Mediaton (NALSA)

16439 Trained Mediators

393 Functional ADR Centres

28301 Cases Settled through Mediation
Mediators Deployed

Other Mediators
Lawyers Mediators 188
5648 2%
75%

Judicial Mediators
1697
23%

 40  Annual Report 2020-2021

Promoting NALSA’s aim to spread Legal Literacy Competition on 17th March 2021 at India
in Schools and Colleges, NALSA provided International Centre, Delhi. The event was
assistance to MAIMS in organizing Justice inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice N. V.
J. S. Verma National ADR & Client Counselling Ramana. During the event, Justice N.V.

Annual Report 2020-2021  41

 “We must take note of the
fact that a vast majority of
litigants in India belong to
middle and poorer sections
of society. They will find
great solace if mediation
gets established as a reliable
means of redress.”
- Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana

Ramana focused on, to strengthen the ADR

mechanisms and to reduce the huge pendency
of cases. He also suggested methods of
dealing with judicial delays such as, “reforming
the judicial process and strengthening the
judicial infrastructure” and “settling existing
disputes through amicable dispute resolution
methods”. Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.M. Khanwilkar,
Judge, Supreme Court of India was also present
during the event. He emphasized on the Justice
Verma’s commitment to the Rule of Law and his
personal liking towards the ADR mechanisms.

 42  Annual Report 2020-2021

Narratives of Dispute Resolution
Through Mediation
in the ancestral property. After refusal of their
70-year-old accused got claim, animosity arose between both parties.
acquitted In need of legal advice and aid, the daughters
approached Legal Services Authorities with the
after mediation help of a PLV. Secretary DLSA Barwani informed
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic a case was pending them about the pre-litigation mediation
in which, Deendayal (name changed) who was process. After their concurrence, notices were
an accused in an assault case, as the regular issued to both parties. Elaborating on the
functioning of the courts was suspended. benefits of the mediation process, both parties
A family member of Deendayal approached consented for mediation. In presence of a
the Front office of TLSC, Mahasamund and trained Mediator, the matter was deliberated
explained the case. The complainant of the upon in confidential single & joint sessions.
concerned case was contacted through mobile
After detailed deliberations, the matter was
and counselling sessions were organised. After
settled. The settled amount was paid to the
mediation, complainant gave his consent for
daughters.
compromise and the case was compounded.
Thus, Deendayal was acquitted from the above
case and was released from. Settlement of Contractual
Obligations
Ancestral property dispute through Mediation
settled In a peculiar case where both the parties
through mediation approached DLSA Jabalpur, it came to light
that the dispute arose because seller (‘A’) sold
A dispute arose between daughter’s ‘A’ &
a house to buyer (‘B’) on an agreement of
‘B’(names not disclosed) and their father,
Rs. 30 lakhs out of which 15 lakh rupees had
wherein both the daughters claimed their share

Annual Report 2020-2021  43

 been transferred by the buyer in advance but destitute and her infant who was in need of care
before he could remit the remaining 15lakh and protection. Thereafter, she was rescued
rupees, he was taken in custody in some other along with her baby. On being quizzed, it was
property dispute. As a result, the remaining ascertained that the lady has been deserted by
money was not paid on time. The matter was her husband. She was also subjected to physical
settled through a qualified mediator with both and mental cruelty by her in-laws. Hence DLSA
parties honouring the terms of the agreement. sent notice to the husband and in-laws of ‘A’ to
settle their dispute by pre-litigation mediation

Domestic Violence and Dowry desk. The destitute lady along with her infant
is now at Nilachala Seba Pratisthana, Kanasa.
Mediation The District Administration and Nilachala Seba

Through ADR Mechanism Pratisthana are taking care of both the mother
and child. The said news had been covered by
Complainant Sweta Kumari had raised most of the regional TV Channels.
allegations against her husband Prem Singh
regarding dowry demands, taunting, giving
beatings, mental harassment, demand of
Negligence of Maintenance
Rs.2,50,000/-, unnatural intercourse etc. Dispute in Policeman’s
Matter was assigned for mediation through
NALSA services and was settled between the
Marriage Settled;
parties and they agreed to live together with Resulting in Family Reunion
love and affection and to do their respective
Wife of a Police constable, GRP Police Ratlam,
duties with dedication and determination.
resident of Bada Ghosalia, Meghnagar
submitted an application before the Secretary
Destitute Woman rescued with DLSA alleging that her husband, had neglected

baby and to maintain her. The services of Superintendent

of Police GRP Indore were enlisted and
Rehabilitated by DLSA matter successfully by Secretary DLSA
through Mediation by DLSA Secretary Jhabua.
On 21.08.2020, one destitute woman namely,
Accordingly, the pre-litigation mediation was
‘A’ (Name withheld) aged about 23 years with
successfully concluded and resulted in family
an Infant was found at Ganduachouka Chhak,
reunion.
near Jagannath Temple. Sahoo, Para Legal
Volunteers under DLSA found the woman
and informed the Secretary, DLSA about her
plight. Thereafter, the DSSO was requested for
the care, protection and rehabilitation of the

 44  Annual Report 2020-2021

 Citizen Centric Services
Citizen centricity  is an approach in is one of the units of the entire framework to
which  citizen  participation, through the render such services.
explicit or implicit expression of their needs by
It is imperative to make Front Office efficient
different means, plays an essential role in the
and effective so that quality and meaningful
design of strategies. The idea behind citizen-
legal services are rendered to the visitors/legal
centric government is to simplify and hone
aid seekers. At present, there is no uniformity
processes, leaving people more time to use
in the functioning of Front Offices across the
their expertise and talk to citizens. It is about
country. Moreover, in most of the Front Offices,
reducing waste and creating a good, useful
legal services of the required standard are not
service for the people. And with the technology
delivered. It is important to strengthen Front
available today.
Offices so that high-quality legal services are
rendered and Front Office work as One Stop
Front Offices Centre for legal aid seekers/beneficiaries.

Legal Services Authorities provide free and Some of the important parts of functioning of
competent legal services to weaker and front offices include Duty Roasters and list of
marginalised sections of society. Front office Panel Advocates and PLVs, Technical prowess,

Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana inaugurating Front Office at Rouse Avenue Courts Complex, New Delhi

Annual Report 2020-2021  45

 Professionalism, Registers and booklets to be details and status of cases to all legal aid
kept and maintained in the Front Office, Daily beneficiaries legal aid and advice, assistance
reporting about case proceedings, handling of panel lawyers in drafting applications,
legal Aid Helpline professionally, Connect with notices, replies etc are some functions carried
legal services clinics. out by these Front Offices. During the year
2020, around 1,46,358 persons were provided
With the aim of simplifying the legal aid
legal assistance through Front Offices. On
and assistance process and improving
22.03.2021, Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana
organizational processes, NALSA formulated
inaugurated front office established at Rouse
the guidelines where in Front Offices are
Avenue Centre Complex, New Delhi.
transformed into One Stop Centres. Providing

 46  Annual Report 2020-2021

LEGAL SERVICES CLINICS
Established in jails, Juvenile Justice Boards, Institutions. These clinics are manned by Panel
villages, observation homes, community Lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs).
centres and universities around the country, Assistance is provided in Legal Services Clinics
Legal Services Clinics promote access for people in the form of legal advice, drafting of notices,
facing geographical, social or other obstacles replies, applications, etc.
in obtaining legal assistance from Legal Service

LSCs Functional - 13526

People provided assistance - 4,52,863

Jail Legal Services Clinics functional - 1076

Provided assistance in JLSCs - 1,43,037

Legal Services Clinics No. of persons No. of persons provided

functioning visited Legal Assistance

Colleges / Universities 865 4802 3597

Villages 6119 2,36,420 1,87,374

Community Centers 1114 34,816 28,025

Courts 902 41,869 31,627

JJBs 438 10,618 8020

For the people of 102 768 691

North-East

Others 2910 61,941 50,492

Total 12,450 3,91,234 3,09,826

Annual Report 2020-2021  47

 Our Workfroce

Panel Lawyers and Para

Legal Volunteers
Panel Lawyers are qualified legal practitioners Legal Services) Regulation, 2010 to render free
selected under Regulation 8 of the National and competent legal services to the deserving
Legal Services Authority (Fee and Competent and needy persons under the scheme. Panel

 48  Annual Report 2020-2021

Lawyers in HCLSCs and DLSAs have worked by the pandemic in various ways. Despite the
tirelessly during this challenging year. In the challenges of the Pandemic, LSAs made best
country, Maharashtra has the maximum efforts to provide legal aid and assistance to
number of panel lawyers, with a total for 5,326 those in need. The Legal Services Authorities
lawyers on its panel. worked hard throughout the year to meet our
goals of legally empowering the marginalised
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the world has
and excluded groups by providing effective legal
faced numerous challenges. NALSA reworked
representation, legal literacy and awareness to
its functioning and adopted new ways of
bridge the gap between the legally available
working with the oncoming challenges of the
benefits and the entitled beneficiaries.
pandemic. Every individual has been impacted

Annual Report 2020-2021  49

 Throughout this year, NALSA has strengthened amicably settle simple disputes between the
the the system of Lok Adalats and other parties at the source itself; which could save
Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanisms the trouble of the affected travelling all the way
in order to provide for informal, quick, to the Legal Services Authority/ADR Centres. If
inexpensive and effective resolution of the dispute is of such a nature, which cannot
disputes. Various efforts have been made to be resolved at the source with the assistance
promote an inclusive legal system in order of PLVs, they could bring such parties to the
to ensure fair and meaningful justice to the ADR Centres, where, with the assistance of the
marginalized and disadvantaged sector. Secretary in charge either it could be referred
to Lok Adalat or Mediation Centre or Legal
With the basic knowledge in the laws and other
assistance could be provided for adjudication
available welfare measures and legislation,
in a court of law; depending upon the nature of
they would be able to assist their immediate
problem. Despite the pandemic, our para-legal
neighborhood; PLVs are not only expected to
volunteers have been working consistently
impart awareness on laws and the legal system,
and providing their services and assistance to
but they must also be trained to counsel and
those in need.

Anecodotes from Para Legal Efforts

PLVs rescue elderly man PLVs assisting victims buried
On 08.07.2020, District Legal Services
under debris of construction
Authority, Gurdaspur, Punjab received
information from the residents of Village On 25th August 2020, a two-storey house
Awankha, Block Dinanagar, District Gurdaspur located at station road, Dewas suddenly
that some unknown persons had left one old collapsed. In this accident eleven people were
man at the graveyard of Village Awankha. A buried under the debris. PLVs of District Legal
PLV brought this to the notice of the Secretary, Services Authority, Dewas, [Link] Modi
District Legal Services Authority, Gurdaspur. In and Mr. Salim Sheikh immediately got in
pursuant to that, legal aid functionaries went touch with [Link] Dewas. In coordination
to the spot and found the old person. The PLV with the District Administration, and
further called an ambulance and assisted him Municipal Corporation through round the
in getting admitted to Civil Hospital Gurdaspur clock monitoring by the PLVs and the [Link],
with the help of the concerned authorities nine people were rescued safely from the
rubble. Now efforts are being made for their
rehabilitation, treatment and assistance.

 50  Annual Report 2020-2021

 Victim Compensation:
Emancipation through Justice
Amidst the growing concern for compensation heir. Many other states have defined victim
to victims of crimes, section 357A was inserted as a person who himself/herself has suffered
in 2009 (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973). loss or injury as a result of crime and requires
This was to give effect to Victim Compensation rehabilitation. The states which have adopted
Schemes (VCS). The scheme made way for the definition given in Cr.P.C. include parents
an institutionalized payment of rehabilitative of the child as victim. The Central Victim
compensation to the victim by the State for any Compensation Fund Scheme (CVCF) and a
loss or injury caused to him by the offender. number of the State Victim Compensation
The responsibility has been imposed on the Schemes provide compensation to the
State Governments to create and maintain a dependents of the victims as well.
fund for this purpose.
Section 357A Cr.P.C. authorizes the District
Pursuant to the statutory incorporation of Legal Services Authority (DLSA) or State Legal
section 357A, most States formulated their Services Authority (SLSA) to decide the amount
respective Victim Compensation Schemes. of compensation to be awarded to victims
Some states have adopted the definition of a under the scheme, subject to the parameters
victim as provided under Sec. 2(wa) of Code prescribed by the schemes. In the financial
of Criminal Procedure. According to the said year 2020-21, 12815 applications for victim
section, “victim” means a person who has compensation were received by the Legal
suffered any loss or injury caused by reason Services Institutions, out of which 9,786
of the act or omission for which the accused applications were decided. Compensation of
person has been charged and the expression Rs. 145.62 crores were awarded to the victims
“victim” includes his or her guardian or legal during this period.

Annual Report 2020-2021  51

 Success Stories of Victim Compensation
Interim relief provided under Prompt interim relief to a
Victim Compensation minor rape survivor
Scheme One nine-year-old girl was raped in a village
situated under police station Sirsi, District
In a literacy camp organized by DLSA, Bilaspur,
Guna. Thereupon, the mother of the victim
Chhattisgarh, for generating awareness among
child presented an application for interim
children, an incident came to the notice of the
compensation before DLSA Guna. The
DLSA, where it was revealed that there were
application was processed rapidly and within
two students who were in desperate need
three days the victim was awarded the
of relief. Both students were being raised by
required interim compensation. In addition,
their aunt, as their mother had been murdered
on the request of DLSA Guna the district
and their father was detained in jail. In the
administration handed over an additional
said camp, the school management and the
amount of 20,000 rupees to the victim looking
students were informed about the Victim
into their immediate needs and to ensure the
Compensation Scheme and the role of Legal
victim’s rehabilitation into society.
Services Authorities. Thereafter, an application
was filed on behalf of the students at the DLSA
office and they were awarded a sum of Rs.
2,50,000 as interim relief.

Reparations rendered to victims of sexual offences, acid attacks and other victims (in crores)

 52  Annual Report 2020-2021

 Legal Empowerment Camps
Evolving the traditional approach towards Services Authority and various other stake
spreading general legal awareness, Legal holders also undertaken. The PLVs, Panel
Empowerment camps provide a fresh outlook Lawyers and other stakeholders at the stalls
towards the goal of legal empowerment of the apprise people about various welfare schemes
weak and marginalized section of society by of the state and central government, fill
building the foundation of need based analysis up their forms, help in attaching necessary
and focused action. Legal Empowerment documents and submit them to the concerned
Camps connect people to their rights and departments/authorities in order to get them
entitlements under various laws and welfare connected with the schemes. Need based
schemes, helping them overcome personal assistance of local NGOs is also taken during
and structural barriers. such camps.

During these Legal Empowerment Camps, the This year posed a new challenge and in
Legal Services Authorities give presentations response, online/digital legal empowerment
in vernacular about the relevant welfare camps were introduced, helping DLSAs/SLSAs
schemes and eligibility criteria, among other to reach the remotest parts of the country.
relevant information. Real time registration Camps were also organized in micro form
of beneficiaries in stalls set up by the Legal

Annual Report 2020-2021  53

 covering specific issues. During the period, organized which benefited over 27.36 lakh
around 1181 legal empowerment camps were persons.

Legal Empowerment Camps were organised this year with the total number of beneficiaries.

 54  Annual Report 2020-2021

 Legal Aid to
Suspects & Accused
Prison Based Services
The Right to Free Legal Aid and Assistance
at early stages of criminal matters is an
indispensable component of a reasonable,
free and fair trial for an accused person. Access
to Justice during the early stages of the criminal
process is crucial. It ensures, amongst other
things, protection of the rights of people when
they are most vulnerable and strengthens the
criminal justice system. Recognizing the need
for early access to justice, the Legal Services
Authorities ensured legal representation at all
stages of the criminal justice system including
at the Pre-arrest, Arrest and Remand Stage.
“We need to provide effective
During the year, 2020 suspects were provided legal aid to the needy right
legal assistance at the pre-arrest stage at the
police station, 4365 arrestees were provided
from the stage, they are
legal assistance at the police station before summoned to a police
producing them in front of courts, and 76,380
persons were provided legal assistance at the
station.”
remand stage, 36,239 bail applications were - Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
filed at the remand stage and in of these cases,
20,762 bail was granted.

Under International Human Rights Law, the right not only an important safeguard to prevent
to liberty requires that deprivation of liberty undue and oppressive incarceration, to
should always be the exception, and imposed minimise anxiety and concern accompanying
only if it is justified, necessary, reasonable the accused.
and proportionate in the circumstances of The UN Legal Aid Principles recognize legal
the case. All detainees have a right to trial aid as an “essential element of a functioning
within a reasonable time to release. Prolonged criminal justice system”. The principle states
undertrial detention can violate their rights to that the right to legal aid should be recognized
liberty and fair trial, and adversely impact their by the states at the highest possible level, and
lives and livelihood. where applicable, in the constitution. India gave
It has been held by the Hon’ble Supreme Court right to legal aid constitutional status in 1976
in numerous cases that right to speedy trial is through the 42nd Amendment by inserting

Annual Report 2020-2021  55

 Article 39A. To extend the reach of legal aid, functioning across the country, which were
the government gave legal aid statutory visited by 72,739 prisoners and legal assistance
recognition in 1987 through the Legal Services was provided to 66099 prisoners.
Authorities Act. Various committees and
The Legal Services Authorities have lawyers
judgements also underscored the importance
empaneled who provide representation to
of legal aid. One of the core areas of activity of
under-trial prisoners across the country. From
the Legal Services Institutions is providing legal
the period January-December 2019, legal
aid. Under section 12 of the Legal Services
representation was provided to as many as
Authorities Act, 1987, all persons in custody
396713 under-trial prisoners before courts
are entitled to legal aid. Several initiatives have
and 203655 UTPs were provided with legal
already been taken such as setting up of Legal
assistance in the form of advice, drafting of
Services Clinics in the Jails across the country,
application, etc.
identifying the training PLVs who could
communicate with the inmates in the prisons.
From the period April 2020 – October 2020
there were 1057 Legal Services Clinics in Jails

 56  Annual Report 2020-2021

Annual Report 2020-2021  57
 58  Annual Report 2020-2021
Legal Aid Defense Counsel System
Implemented in 2019, the Legal Aid Defence Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V Ramana, Executive
Council System improves upon the existing Chairman, NALSA, presided over the ceremony
practice of legal assistance provided by panel on occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the
lawyers in criminal cases. Introduced on a pilot Establishment of Delhi State Legal Services
basis in one district each of 17 States, salaried Authority & to commemorate the beginning of
lawyers along with assistants deal exclusively the Journey of the Delhi SLSA on 22nd March,
with legal aid cases in criminal matters. From 2021. Justice Ramana inaugurated the Front
the stage of legal advice to appeals in session Office established at Rouse Avenue Courts
courts and bail applications, the system Complex and Legal Aid Defense Counsel
provides comprehensive legal assistance to System, established in the South West District.
the legal aid seeker. In the year 2020, legal Justice Ramana in his inaugural address
assistance was provided in 1595 cases by LADC stated that “Guarantee of equal Justice will
offices. be rendered meaningless if the vulnerable
sections cannot impose their rights because of
their poverty or illiteracy or weakness.”

Annual Report 2020-2021  59

 60  Annual Report 2020-2021
 Strengthening the
Legal Services Institutions
“Legal services authorities
are leveraging technological
tools on various other fronts
including conduction of
training programs for panel
lawyers through webinars”
Capacity Building - Hon’ble Justice N.V. Ramana
The LSAs conducted training programmes on
a regular basis, to enhance capacities of all
stake holders in the justice delivery system.
To ensure that quality legal representation
and assistance is being provided to legal
aid seekers, the Legal Services Authorities
carry out training programs for PLVs, Panel
Lawyers, Law Students, Police Officers, etc.
The training programmes are guided by the
Training Modules prepared by NALSA. During
the financial year, around 1471 training
programmes for Panel Lawyers, 1247 for Para
Legal Volunteers and 624 training programmes
for other stake holders were organized by the
LSIs.

Legal
Awareness Programmes
Legal Awareness is the most effective tool
to empower and encourage individuals to
realise their rights and entitlements secured
under different laws and beneficial schemes.
As lockdowns and public health guidelines
providing for social distancing measures

Annual Report 2020-2021  61

 were imposed, the Legal Services Authorities to overcome the challenges posed by the
accordingly moulded its activities. Physical pandemic. For instance, a Legal Services
gatherings were eschewed in favour of online Mobile Utility Van by Assam SLSA displayed
platforms. Legal awareness programmes informative video clippings prepared by World
were carried out through Webinars, Video Health Organisation and National Health
Conferencing, Radio and TV programmes, Mission, Assam about the spread of the virus
YouTube, Social Media platforms, etc. In remote and how it could be combated.
and far-flung areas where communities do not
In another instance, the Legal Services
have access to information and communication
Authorities in Manipur in coordination with
technology, legal awareness activities were
District Administration initiated 16 Days
carried out in the offline mode by distributing
Micro ATM Cash Withdrawal Legal Camps in
posters.
collaboration with local clubs of the villages.
• No. of micro-level Legal Awareness The objective of these camps was to help
Programmes conducted during lockdown the beneficiaries belonging to the remotest
-44,995 of villages who were facing hardship in
withdrawing the cash to meet their daily needs
• No. of Programmes conducted through
mainly due to non-availability of Bank/ATM
radio including community radios -93
facilities in their villages.
• No. of Programmes conducted through TV-
79
Capacity Building
• No. of Programmes conducted through
other social media tools including You
Webinars
Tube-2573 As necessitated by the situation caused by the
pandemic, LSAs started leveraging technology

Innovative initiatives on several fronts, including the extensive use

of social media tool to conduct legal awareness
to spread awareness activities as well as capacity building of legal
aid functionaries.
In order to increase the outreach of legal
services, the LSAs adopted innovative tools

 62  Annual Report 2020-2021

Many SLSAs collocate capacity building related Victim Compensation Schemes, the
programmes via webinars for their panel Amended Motor Vehicle Act, 2019, Domestic
lawyers, and covered a wide range of topics. Violence During Lockdown etc. These were
Haryana SLSA, for instance, held a webinar attended by Panel Lawyers, as well as PLVS.
on the Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act and its No. of webinars conducted for panel lawyers
-1598

Annual Report 2020-2021  63

 Unique Initiatives by
SLSAs/DLSAs
At NALSA, the aim is to achieve justice for
all, achieving this goal through conventional
methods is a monumental task, and a unique
perspective for solving these issues in our
society is the need of the hour. The SLSAs
and DLSAs in addition to battling the Covid-19
pandemic, assisted in resolving socio-legal
issues in the country with their creative
programmes and initiatives. With campaigns
ranging from Mobile Legal Services Vans to
Online ADR Mechanisms, here’s a highlight
of some of the best initiatives undertaken by
SLSAs and DLSAs this year.

Mobile Legal Services-cum-

Lok Adalat Van
Doorsteps’ campaign, Arunachal Pradesh SLSA
While Access to Justice proves to be a challenge introduced a van (Mobile Legal Services-cum-
in the biggest metropolitan cities and town. Lok Adalat) that would be ferried at various
ships, getting much needed legal at the places and remote areas in every district of
remotest part of the country comes with its Arunachal Pradesh.
own set of hurdles. As part of its ‘Justice at your
With all necessary facilities in the van like court
compartment, office stationaries, seating
arrangement for lawyers and the team, internal
and external Address system, and a generator,
among others, the resolution of issues and
challenges of the litigants belonging to remote
areas of Arunachal Pradesh are rendered
without delay and challenges.

“Bal Vani”
A Radio Show for Children
Recognizing the unique situation in which
children were placed due to the pandemic,

 64  Annual Report 2020-2021

a need was felt to design an innovative
awareness programme exclusively for children.
Rajasthan SLSA in collaboration with UNICEF
and Akashvani Radio, thus launched ‘Bal-
Vani’ - an hour-long radio show to establish a
dialogue with children, and make them aware
about their rights and duties. The month-
long campaign consisted of shows hosted by
children themselves, encouraging them to be
aware of their rights and raising a voice for
themselves and those around them. Apart
from the host children, the panel consisted
of educationists, experts, parents, child
counsellors, story-tellers, and child heroes.
The mode of instruction was made flexible
in order to entertain, as well as to inform the
kids, and therefore the programmes featured
stories, jokes, and poems by children.

Door to Door
Legal Awareness
Programmes
Determined to educate people on their legal
‘Access to Justice North East and Jammu &
rights, the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal
Kashmir’, conducted 49 Door to Door Legal
Services Authority (APSLSA) under the Project
Awareness Programmes at 10 districts of
Arunachal Pradesh.

Around 6440 persons were benefitted through

these legal awareness programmes. Ranging
from POCSO Act; Arunachal Pradesh Victim
Compensation Scheme’ 2011, Marriage
Registration Act, Protection of Women against
Domestic Violence Act., numerous topics were
covered during the campaign.

E-Mega Camps
Chhattisgarh SLSA in collaboration and
assistance of Government of Chhattisgarh,

Annual Report 2020-2021  65

 launched the E Mega Camp series through 1. ‘Sadbhavana Series’ for Differently
virtual mode in all of its 23 civil districts and abled persons
64 talukas. With the aim of providing economic
Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority
and social justice to the marginalized sections
launched and uploaded 10 videos under the
of the society, CGSLSA successfully assisted
“Sadbhavana Series” on the Jan Chetna CGSLSA
more than 8 lakh beneficiaries.
Youtube Channel with the objective to spread
Legal Awareness among differently abled
Youtube Series Initiative persons.

Legal Aid and Legal Awareness are ever

changing and evolving practice. Adapting to
the different challenges and obstacles faced
this year, the aim of legal awareness to all
was achieved through the innovative Youtube
series campaign by CGSLSA. So far, 158 videos
on different important topics of law have been
uploaded and the same have been watched by
1,03,232 people. The various series launched,
2. ‘Ek Kahani Nasihat Bhari’
are elaborated on below:
CGSLSA has also come up with a very unique
and first of its kind series of 8 episodes “Ek
Kahani Nasihat Bhari”. CGSLSA selected short
films shown in “Shoot for legal awareness Film
Festival” Season 1 and 2.

 66  Annual Report 2020-2021

3. ‘Aisa Ho To Kya Karen’

21 Videos in Chhattisgarhi Language on

various legal problems were uploaded on the
“Jan Chetna CGSLSA” YouTube channel with
the aim that the easiest solution of different
legal problems can easily be understood by
the common masses.

UMEED: Rehabilitation of ‘Umeed’. The campaign arose to send cured

patients back home. Under the campaign,
cured mentally ill patients CGSLSA coordinated with concerned SALSAs,
Local administration, and Government Railway
For rehabilitation of persons suffering from
Police and with their assistance successfully
mental health issues, Chhattisgarh State Legal
sent many recovered patients back to their
Services Authority launched campaign named
homes outside Chhattisgarh.

Annual Report 2020-2021  67

 Campaign for Convicts
Held in Delhi and UP, the campaign was
initiated to address the issues of convicts
which included their lack of legal knowledge,
as well as to meet the objective of securing
their rights of appeal. In Delhi, during the
said campaign, the Legal Services Authorities
interacted with 2530 convicts. 177 convicts out
of 2530 interacted with, wanted to file appeals/
SLPs. Further, 118 convicts said they wanted
legal aid to file appeals/SLPs. Legal assistance
was accordingly provided to them.

‘Project Hope and Care

in Times of the Covid-19
Pandemic’
Manipur SLSA initiated an e-learning,
interactive training series under the banner
You tube Learning Series of ‘Project Hope and Care in times of Covid-19
Online Learning is rapidly becoming one of the Pandemic’ on various social issues, social
most cost- effective ways to educate masses at welfare schemes, legal aid and legal services
one go. Pursuant to the Nation-wide lockdown
due to COVID-19, Delhi State Legal Services
Authority had organized a Youtube Learning
Series for Legal Aid Counsels from time to time

A total of 23 sessions were conducted during

the year covering various topics such as (i)
Commercial Litigation Specific Performance
and Force Majeure, (ii) Interplay between
Mediation, Conciliation and Lok Adalats under
the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 (iii)
Ensuring quality of Legal Aid Services injustice
process, (iv) Domestic Violence During COVID-19
Lockdown: Concerns, Issues & Remedies (v)
Witness Protection & Victim Compensation
in Delhi (vi) Recording of Evidence: Affidavits,
Exhibits and Objectives etc.

 68  Annual Report 2020-2021

schemes. The project was a multimedia
campaign utilizing electronic medium such
“Hooch”-A special Awareness
as Webinars, Video Conferencing, YouTube, Drive Against Alcohol and
Facebook as well as discussion forums like
“Manung Hutna”, and live phone in programs
Drugs
of TV channels. The project aimed to enhance During the month of August, 2020, keeping in
outreach and enhance legal services activities mind the “Hooch’’ tragedy in Batala in which
for intended beneficiaries and its visibility in over 100 people died after consuming spurious
the State. liquor, a special awareness drive was started
by Legal Services Authorities in Punjab to
Further, under the campaign, outreach
create awareness amongst the public against
programs through TV were conducted on
the consumption of alcohol and use of drugs.
topics such as Right to Food under NFSA Act
In this regard, PLVs were deputed to meet
and PMGKY Scheme, Rape victims and ways to
the families of who have lost their members
access free legal aid, Motor Accident Claims,
in this tragic incident at Batala. A canopy was
Free Legal Aid to Poor and Needy Persons etc.
also established at Court Complex, Gurdaspur,
Online Interaction Programs were also Village Deeda Sainian and Dhariwal, where
conducted with teachers and students of awareness was created by PLVs regarding
Legal literacy Club, Ukhrul on the NALSA (Child the ill effects of drugs and also awareness
Friendly Legal Services and their Protection) regarding the NALSA (Legal Services to the
Scheme, 2015. victims of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug
Menace) Scheme, 2015.
An interactive meeting was also held with the
Panel Lawyers Deputed at One Stop Centers /
Women Helpline to discuss the achievements ‘Sakshar Bano, Saksham
and challenges of Domestic Violence Cases
referred from OSCs. The campaign, thus
Bano’
provided a platform to reach out to the general With a view to observe “International Day
public. of Girl Child”, DLSA (East) in association
with DLSA (Shahdara) in Delhi organized an
Awareness Programme for the Female Jail

Annual Report 2020-2021  69

 This app, along with the web portal of the High
Court Legal Services Committee is launched
with the predominant objective of taking
justice to the doorsteps of people.

Campaign on Fundamental
Duties
Inmates of Mandoli Central Jail No. 16. Under The Legal Services Institutions have been
the Campaign, “Sakshar Bano, Saksham Bano” actively sensitizing people about their
female inmates were encouraged to learn to Fundamental Duties under the Constitution
write their names and signatures, and were of India. During the month of July 2020, such
also educated about the importance and awareness activities were conducted by
benefits of basic education and capacity to Legal Services Authorities across the country.
read and write. Through use of virtual platforms such as Video
Conference, SMS and WhatsApp Groups,
Vidhik Sewa Mobile App awareness was created about “Fundamental
Duties”.
Embracing the digitization of legal aid process,
JHALSA launched Vidhik Sewa Mobile App • 1401 Legal Awareness camps on
and Vidhik Sewa Web Portal of High Court Fundamental Duties were organized in the
Legal Services Committee. The Vidhik Sewa State of Haryana benefitting 82689 people.
Mobile App is designed in a manner so that • 5 webinars in the month of July were
beneficiaries can avail the legal services conducted by the Chandigarh SLSA in the
without physically approaching Legal Services UT of Chandigarh to make school students
Institutions. They can do so by filling their aware of their Fundamental Duties.
details and grievances in the App itself.
• DLSA, Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka in
association with District Child Protection
Unit and the District Administration
organized a Webinar programme on the
topic “Fundamental Duties” for the public.

• Besides this, a Webinar programme

on the topic “Fundamental Duties” was
conducted for officials of Zilla Panchayath,
Taluk Panchayath and Gram Panchayath,
Chikkaballapura by DLSA Chikkabllapura,
Karnataka.

• Taking forward the NALSA campaign to

create awareness about fundamental

 70  Annual Report 2020-2021

 duties, DLSA North, North-West and
Shahdara, Delhi organized an online
awareness program for students and
trainee teachers on the topic ‘Laws Related
to Protection of Public Property’. The
resource person covered provisions of the
IPC as well as DPDP Act and Prevention of
Damage to Public Property Act.

• DLSA (South) convened a series of sessions In order to help and provide necessary
on Fundamental Duties as per article 51A counselling to the inmates, [Link] North­East,
of the Constitution of India at Ujjawal Shahdara and South, in association with the
and Uday Children Home for boys (age prison administration, conducted a campaign
Group10-18 year) to spread awareness under the name PAIRAVI. This campaign
amongst the children about Citizen’s Duties endeavored to address every unsatisfied
including Fundamental Duties. inmate and counsel him on his position vis a
• In the State of Manipur, various online vis Bail.
programs were organised by District The activities during the campaign included
Legal Services Authorities - Senapati, setting help desks, one to one counselling
Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Chandel, and lectures, so that inmates could have their
Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West for answers as to why they could not get the
spreading awareness about Fundamental benefit of bail.
Duties. The programs also focused on
carrying out the campaign on social media
and other online forums in the wake of the
Legal Assistance
COVID-19 pandemic. Establishment (Nyaya
• The U. T of Puducherry Legal Services Sanjog)
Authority had conducted a webinar for
Pursuant to the instruction and guidelines
Awareness on Fundamental Duties for
issued by NALSA, a State Level Legal Assistance
Judicial Officers, Panel Advocates and PLVs.
Establishment namely ‘Nyaya Sanjog’ was set
up and made functional at the Office of OSLSA
PAIRAVI
While the entire nation was under lockdown, the
DSLSA and DLSAs were engrossed in providing
legal aid to the jail inmates. Thousands of bail
applications were drafted and thousands of
inmates benefited from the untiring efforts of
LSof DLSAs, yet there were numerous inmates
who could not be granted the benefit of bail
and remained inside.

Annual Report 2020-2021  71

 with a Toll-Free No.1516 since June, 2017. The
aim and objective were to provide multiple
legal services under one roof in promoting the
concept of “Access to Justice”.

Video Conferencing provision was also

available in this establishment to facilitate
communication of the litigants, prisoners and
other Legal Aid Seekers with the OSLSA/Legal
Aid Counsel.

No. of persons approached/contacted the No. of persons provided with legal assistance
Legal Assistance Establishment (Nyaya Sanjog)
444 444
Legal aid and assistance provided through Total calls received No. of persons
District helpline numbers provided legal advice
217 208

Central DLSA also set up Help Desk for legal

PROJECT assistance and counselling and make sex
‘HUNAR JYOTI’ workers aware about the various schemes for
rehabilitation for three days. Panel Advocates
Central DLSA under the aegis of DSLSA and
along with Para Legal Volunteers helped in
in association with Delhi Police inaugurated a
registration of sex workers for schemes like
three days campaign for providing services like
Ujawala Scheme etc.
Ration card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Bank
Accounts and awareness for woman hygiene
to sex workers by setting up a Help Desk for Community Mediation &
each service under the project name ‘HUNAR
JYOTI’. Over 150 sex workers participated in
40 Hrs Online Mediation
the programme. Training to Advocates
Under the MP Community Mediation
Programme, Community Mediation Volunteers
from Nema, Gond (Tribal), Jain, Kayasth,
Yadav, Katia & Pasi communities imparted
20 hours online training courses. The course
curriculum included understanding intricacies
of mediation, body language, negotiation,
impasse, psychology of conflict and its changing
sociological dimensions. With the objective

 72  Annual Report 2020-2021

of inculcating a paradigm shift in the working application LSAs aim to provide free legal aid to
of Gram Nyayalayas from adjudicatory mode the needy and other concerned stakeholders.
to conciliatory mode, community mediation
The newly developed Web Application is
volunteers rendered assistance in the smooth
helpful in updating UKSLSA, Nainital data and
functioning of gram nyayalayas to serve the
also for public welfare with regard to free legal
purpose of resolution of disputes through ADR.
aid services through Legal Services Institutions.
Madhya Pradesh also became the first State to
impart 40 Hrs Online Mediation training to 68
advocates in three batches Campaign to Prevent Child
Abuse
LEGAL AID INFORMATION Keeping in view the rise in child abuse cases, the
SYSTEM (LAIS) PORTAL DLSA, Sangrur, Punjab undertook an initiative
to sensitize the school /college authorities i.e.
LSAs in Nainital, Uttarakhand developed LEGAL
staff members, bus conductors, drivers and
AID INFORMATION SYSTEM (LAIS), a Web
class IV peons on the 56ection of Children) Act,
Based Application (open source) to monitor
2000 and under section 39 of the Protection of
legal services activities, being carried easily
Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
and efficiently. Through the concerned web

Annual Report 2020-2021  73

 Other Highlights
Outreach through of the poor. By integrating the same, pro
bono legal services have supplemented the
Social Media tools/Digital government funded legal aid system and
Platforms maximized the reach of free legal services.
During April 2020 to December,2020, around
Social media provides a huge opportunity
2130 cases were dealt by the pro-bono lawyers.
to reach out to a number of people. It is
Pro-Bono Lawyers
instantaneous, flexible, cost effective and
3,256
more easily targeted to the needs of specific
communities. As the pandemic presented
difficulties in conducting outreach programmes
by use of conventional methods, Legal Services
Institutions effectively utilized social media
519
to create awareness and reach out to the
86
masses. Awareness programmes on relevant
District High Court Supreme Court
legal topics and welfare schemes of Central
and State governments were held through TV,
Radio, YouTube, Facebook and other digital
Legal Assistance Centre
platforms. In 2020-2021, Legal Services Authorities
established 221 Legal Assistance Centers
(LACs) in 124 districts of India. The main
purpose of LACs was to provide enhanced
legal services to communities living in rural
and remote areas using various tools and
strategies. Equipped with video conferencing
facilities, LACs facilitate interaction between
legal aid lawyers and legal aid seekers. LACs
also facilitate litigants to participate in online
Lok Adalat and Mediation and other court
Pro Bono Legal Services processes through video conferencing.

Pro Bono legal services help marginalized

communities and indigents who are often
denied access to justice due to lack of funds.
Legal Services Authorities by integrating pro
bono legal services into the existing legal aid
system have effectively met the legal needs

 74  Annual Report 2020-2021

 tool in empowering the poor, marginalized,
Para Legal Volunteers and the most vulnerable section of society.
PLVs form one of the most significant As an organization which aims to increase
workforce of the Legal Services Institutions. the reach of legal justice to the masses,
Drawn from various sections of the society, NALSA has developed a procedure where all
a wide range of people work as Para Legal vital information is put out in public domain
Volunteers including people from the medical routinely. Considering the diverse nature
profession, law students and teachers, various of stake holders, each year NALSA receives
NGOs etc. Working at the grassroots level, a number of RTI applications and appeals.
PLVs act as a bridge to connect people with Over the years, it has developed a systematic
the Legal Services Authorities. Despite facing approach to give timely and correct responses
many challenges posed by the pandemic, the to the RTI applications filed with the public
PLVs worked relentlessly in making access to information officers. There is a transparent
justice a reality for the marginalized sections dedicated system with committed staff in place,
of society. who look after the applications efficiently and
objectively. All of the applications were dealt

Timely Disposal of with much before the intended timeframe,

depicting NALSA’s commitment and
RTI applications and appeals responsiveness. NALSA was able to give timely
Over the past few years, the Right to responses to appeals that were filed.
Information (RTI) has become an important

Celebration of Important Days

Sensitizing the masses about the relevance of financial year 2020-21, LSIs across the country,
important days of observance is a significant organised various events on important days of
part of legal awareness initiatives. During the observance.

Important Day celebrated Date Total Number of Approx number

Awareness programmes/ of participants
activities carried out
International Labour Day 1.05.2020 284 20784
Independence Day (15th 15.08.2020 2044 59512
August,2020)

Mahatma Gandhi birthday 02.10.2020 622 37453

International girl child day  11.10.2020 36522 3870731
Legal Services Day November,2020 1633 92735
Constitution Day November,2020 3484 193058
International Women’s Day  08.03.2021 2879 208707

Annual Report 2020-2021  75

 76  Annual Report 2020-2021
 Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
Envisaging the ideals of Independent India on
the 75th Anniversary of our Independence,
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, launched
“Bharat ka Amrut Mahotsav” programme on
12th March, 2021. The Prime Minister on the
anniversary of Dandi March emphasised on
the idea behind the celebration, aiming to
conduct 75 events for the next 75 weeks. This
event showcases our Nation’s achievements of
these 75 years to the world and also gives a
framework for resolution to us for the next 25
years.

The Legal Services Authorities have also

conducted and are going to conduct
numerous activities during the said Mahotsav.
Enumerating upon the issue of the lack of legal
awareness amongst the tribal population, 761
awareness programmes including 131 in non-
Tribal and 630 in Tribal Areas were conducted
across various districts in the country. These
programmes focused to make the community
aware of their rights and entitlements.

Annual Report 2020-2021  77

 Way Forward
Legal Services Authorities continued to provide access to legal services throughout
the pandemic by restructuring its organisational practices and means of service
delivery in response to Covid-19. Along with the challenges, Legal Services
Institutions had an opportunity to innovate its services and develop insights that
will shape its practices well beyond Covid-19.

In 2021, Legal Services Authorities will continue to improve and expand its
services by embedding these enhanced organisational practices in the framework
of Legal Aid Institutions. Technology will play a key role in tackling the recent
accessibility barriers, as efforts will continue to digitize basic units such as
Legal Services Clinics and Front Offices. There will be an increased use of digital
platforms and social media tools in our outreach programmes. Cognizant of the
fact that not all individuals have access to online resources and technology, Legal
Services Authorities will also develop offline and hybrid programmes to achieve
maximum outreach.

There will be a greater impetus to make justice accessible to people living in

remote areas through E-Lok Adalats. In this regard, crucial steps will be taken to
develop capacities of Legal Services Institutions to hold E-Lok Adalats and make
video conferencing facilities available in those areas.

Amidst these changes, our focus will also remain in strengthening our core
mandated areas which primarily consist of legal representation before courts,
legal aid to prisoners, providing of legal services through Front Offices and Legal
Services Clinics. The motive is to work professionally in the core areas and to
enhance and improve the quality of legal services. Continued support will be
provided and capacity building exercises will be undertaken for both PLVs and
Panel Lawyers so that high quality legal services are delivered to the masses.

Legal Services Authorities will have a greater focus on meeting the legal needs of
people living in tribal areas and remote districts. A new dimension will be added
to legal empowerment as outreach programmes will be devised as per the local
needs.

As we move forward into a new year, our chief priority will remain to evaluate
our practices as well as identify areas of improvement in our services.
LEGAL SERVICES MOBILE APP
NALSA Legal Services Mobile App for Android
Phones facilitates following functions:

1. Any citizen may apply for seeking legal

assistance, legal advice and for redressal
of other grievances through Mobile App.

2. Any citizen may track his application

submitted for legal aid & advice and other
grievances.

3. Reminder can be sent and Clarifications

can be sought through the Mobile App.

4. Any victim of crime or applicant can apply

for victim compensation through the
Mobile App.

5. Application for pre-institution mediation

in commercial matters or application for
mediation may be filed through this Mobile
App.

Besides above, Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQs), Helpline assistance and assistance
through e-mail are also provided in the Mobile
App.

This Mobile Application is presently available

in English language and for Android users. It
will soon be available in regional languages
and also for iOS users.

Annual Report 2020-2021  79

 National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
12/11, Jamnagar House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110 011
Website : [Link]