Justice Surya Kant underscored the vital role of institutional frameworks such as the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in ensuring that free legal assistance reaches the most vulnerable sections of society. Speaking passionately on the moral foundations of justice, the NALSA Chairperson reminded that India has long viewed justice not as a privilege but as a sacred obligation of both the State and society.
Quoting Kautilya’s Arthashastra, he remarked, “The ruler’s foremost duty is the protection of his people—especially the poor, the orphaned, and the infirm.”
Delivering the keynote address at a conference jointly organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA), Justice Kant explored the theme “Strengthening a Legal Aid System to Achieve Human Rights of Marginalized and Minorities: The Indian Case Study.” The event, attended by eminent jurists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, focused on the shared regional responsibility of making justice accessible to all.
Drawing from India’s judicial legacy, Justice Kant recalled the landmark Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar case, in which the Supreme Court recognised the right to free legal counsel and a speedy trial as essential components of Article 21 of the Constitution. This judgment, he noted, laid the foundation for legal aid as a cornerstone of human dignity and due process.
Justice Kant also cited global examples to illustrate how institutional strength can transform justice delivery. Referring to Sri Lanka’s Legal Aid Commission and South Africa’s Legal Aid Board, he called them exemplary models for embedding access to justice within national frameworks. He emphasised the importance of a bottom-up approach—where citizens, community leaders, and volunteers play an active role in spreading legal awareness and delivering aid at the grassroots. “Justice must evolve alongside society,” he observed, “otherwise it risks becoming merely its shadow.”
He further reflected that while robust institutions are indispensable for upholding justice, their sustainability depends on an informed and participatory citizenry. Empowered people, he said, are the true guardians of justice.
The NALSA Executive Director shared that the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee had identified more than 5,000 individuals convicted of murder who, despite being eligible for bail, continued to languish in prison. Through coordinated legal assistance, these individuals were provided representation and relief—an illustration of how institutional mechanisms can tangibly restore liberty.
Justice Kant highlighted NALSA’s pioneering initiatives, including Tele-Law, which connects citizens in remote regions to lawyers through technology, and dedicated programs for victims of acid attacks, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. These initiatives, he noted, have empowered millions by expanding legal literacy and enabling timely access to justice—transforming the promise of equality before law into lived reality.
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