New Delhi, March 29 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday emphasized the need for accessible, affordable, and timely justice for all citizens, asserting that it is a right for everyone, not just a privilege for a select few.
He also called for inclusive, technology-driven access to justice under the law ministry's Tele-Law initiative.
Addressing a national consultation on the initiative here, Radhakrishnan highlighted recent legal reforms and said the transition to new criminal laws marks a historic shift towards a more citizen-centric justice system by simplifying procedures and improving efficiency.
He underlined the transformative role of technology in governance, citing initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and telemedicine, and described the Tele-Law initiative as a powerful tool to democratize legal services.
He noted that pre-litigation legal advice can help resolve disputes early, reduce unnecessary litigation, and ease the burden on courts.
Emphasizing the importance of linguistic inclusion, the vice president highlighted efforts to make the Constitution available in multiple regional languages and called for legal consultations to be provided in local languages to enhance understanding and participation.
He also called for focused efforts to ensure the last-mile delivery of legal services, particularly for women, rural, and marginalized communities.
Radhakrishnan commended para-legal volunteers, Common Service Centres, panel lawyers, and other stakeholders for their grassroots contributions in expanding access to justice.