Srinagar, Feb 17: Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday expressed confidence that collective efforts would transform Jammu and Kashmir into a model region for access to justice and further strengthen the Tele-Law programme.
He was addressing a regional event-cum-workshop under the Tele-Law initiative of the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
The event was organised by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand technology-enabled legal services and promote informed dialogue among stakeholders.
Meghwal underlined that justice must reach every citizen, whether living in villages, mountainous regions, or coastal areas. He said the Constitution of India remains the cornerstone of justice, equality, and dignity, and emphasised that initiatives such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, and legal literacy programmes are helping realise Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of social and economic justice. Digital platforms, he noted, have significantly transformed justice delivery by bringing legal services closer to the people.
Reiterating that access to justice is a constitutional right, he encouraged the organisation of smaller, focused workshops to expand the network of pro bono lawyers. He also interacted with village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs), advocates, and students, and lauded the service of Chief Justice Arun Palli, saying his work had made a wide impact across the region. Concluding on a poetic note, Meghwal expressed optimism that Jammu and Kashmir would emerge as a model in ensuring last-mile justice delivery.
Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Arun Palli, and the Secretary (Justice), Department of Justice, were also present on the occasion.
The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a cultural rendition of “Vande Mataram” by local artists to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s national song. In his welcome address, the Secretary (Justice) highlighted the constitutional mandate under Articles 39A, 14, and 21, emphasising the role of DISHA in ensuring accessible, affordable, and timely justice, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
A short informational video was screened to raise awareness about the functioning of Tele-Law, its integration with the Nyaya Bandhu programme, and the support provided by Nyaya Sahayaks in connecting beneficiaries with qualified legal professionals and pro bono advocates.
During the event, panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks, and village-level entrepreneurs working under Tele-Law were felicitated for their contributions to strengthening last-mile access to justice. Their efforts in spreading legal awareness and facilitating timely legal assistance were widely appreciated.
The workshop provided a platform for interaction, experience-sharing, and policy dialogue among judicial officers, advocates, administrators, law students, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders.
In his vote of thanks, the Joint Secretary expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, speakers, and participants for their contributions. He described the workshop as an important step toward strengthening digital and inclusive access to justice and expressed hope that its outcomes would translate into meaningful action on the ground.
