Latest news with #VeerParivarSahayataYojana2025
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Free legal aid clinic for defence personnel inaugurated in Hyderabad under Veer Parivar scheme
HYDERABAD: Justice Sam Koshy, executive chairman of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority, on Saturday inaugurated a Free Legal Services Clinic under the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025 at the Sainik Welfare Office, Somajiguda. The initiative, launched nationwide by NALSA under Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant, offers free legal aid to defence personnel, paramilitary forces, ex-servicemen and their families. Justice Koshy said those stationed at remote borders often face legal hurdles at home, and these clinics would help bridge the gap. Clinics will operate on the first and fourth Saturdays, staffed by a panel lawyer and paralegal volunteer. IPS officer Ravi Gupta called the initiative a major step in welfare support. Awareness campaigns and clinics in all district headquarters are also planned. Colonel P Ramesh Kumar and TSLSA officials attended.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Justice Surya Kant-led NALSA launches free legal aid scheme for soldiers, veterans
In a significant move to deepen institutional outreach and bolster access to justice for the nation's armed forces, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), led by senior Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant, on Saturday launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025 –– a first-of-its-kind nationwide scheme aimed at providing free legal assistance to soldiers, veterans and their families. Justice Surya Kant, J&K Lt Guv Manoj Sinha, J&K CM Omar Abdullah and Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal during the launch of Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana in Srinagar. (HT Photor) Unveiling the scheme in Srinagar, Justice Kant, also the executive chairman of NALSA, said the initiative marks the judiciary's solemn commitment to those who defend the country's borders under the harshest of conditions. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Justice Kant, who is in line to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India in November this year, called the scheme 'a fulfilment of a constitutional duty' and a step toward building 'close proximity between the judiciary and the uniformed forces'. 'This scheme has been launched with the unique object of providing legal aid, advice and assistance to the families of army and paramilitary personnel. Because of the unique nature of their responsibilities and their remote postings, they cannot spare themselves to come and fight litigation,' Justice Kant said. He added that the scheme would not only expedite access to legal redressal for the armed forces but also foster 'a sense of responsibility, attachment and deep respect within the judicial space' for their service. 'When they do so much, what are we doing for them?' asked the judge, adding that the idea behind the initiative took shape after the judiciary's response to the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, followed by Operation Sindoor –– Indian armed forces' coordinated counterterror response to the Pahalgam attack. It led to the Supreme Court's unprecedented public expression of condolences and solidarity with the armed forces. Reflecting on this, Justice Kant said: 'It is not just an emotional response, but a constitutional and institutional understanding –– when they are doing so much for the nation, what are we doing for them?' Citing the Legal Services Authorities Act, he said the judiciary is duty-bound to extend legal assistance to the needy, including soldiers who often face legal disputes, whether involving family, property or neighbourhood conflicts, but are unable to engage in litigation due to their service obligations. The scheme, he said, ensures that 'no additional suffering is imposed on them when they go to court', and that their families, including homemakers, children and elderly parents, are covered under the legal aid framework. Justice Kant emphasised that Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana is a pan-India scheme, extending from 'Kerala to Srinagar, from Nagaland and Mizoram to Rajasthan and Gujarat', he said. Asked about the sustainability of the scheme beyond his tenure as NALSA executive chairman, Justice Kant expressed confidence in institutional continuity. He said his predecessor as the executive chairman and current CJI Bhushan R Gavai had actively encouraged his initiatives and presence in these events. Similarly, other senior judges, including Justices Vikram Nath who will take over as the NALSA executive chairman in November, have remained involved in the legal aid mission. 'This is not a one person's job. It's an institutional commitment and I am happy to say that we all work collectively towards it,' Justice Kant emphasised. During his speech at the event, which also had Union minister of state for law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah in attendance, Justice Kant pointed out that NALSA will establish legal aid clinics at every Zila Sainik Board and Rajya Sainik Board, and expand further if needed. These Boards already serve as nodal centres where serving and retired personnel access welfare services. 'By partnering with them, we aim to bring legal aid directly to their doorsteps,' said the judge adding these clinics will be staffed with trained nodal officers, legal aid counsel and paralegal volunteers. According to the judge, technology will also play a key role, from online filing of applications and video consultations to dispute resolution through e-Lok Adalats and online mediation, and the digital backend is designed to make legal assistance seamless and accessible. In his speech, Justice Kant powerfully invoked Article 39A of the Constitution –– the provision that mandates the State to ensure equal justice and free legal aid to the poor and marginalised. He argued that this constitutional promise cannot be fulfilled if those defending the Constitution are left to fend for themselves in legal matters. 'If we fail to extend this support to our brothers and sisters in the military and paramilitary forces, we fall short of our duty,' he said. 'How can we speak of the strength of our Constitution if those who safeguard it are unable to secure their own rights?' Calling the scheme a 'historic first step' and a tribute to 30 years of NALSA's work, Justice Kant declared: 'Just as our soldiers stand vigilant at the nation's borders, we in the legal fraternity will stand equally vigilant in protecting their rights and welfare at home.'
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Soldiers Doing So Much": Justice Surya Kant, Next In Line For Chief Justice, On Legal Lifeline
Soldiers brave everything from harsh terrain to enemy fire to protect the country, and the judiciary wants to ensure it can do everything possible for them and their families, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Executive Chairman and the next in line to become Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant has said. On Saturday, the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025 was launched to relieve soldiers from domestic legal burdens by ensuring that they get the best possible legal representation even if they don't get leave and can't appear for court proceedings. Justice Surya Kant, who conceived and spearheaded the initiative, spoke to NDTV after the launch and said NALSA is coordinating with the defence department to ensure Army soldiers are given legal help and can focus on their jobs, which is critical for national security. "Today, we have launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025. Soldiers of the Army and paramilitary forces are posted in remote areas and the borders. Often, they can't even talk to their families on the phone and can't get leave. In such a situation, if there is a case against them or their family, they should not be deprived of anything. So, at NALSA, we decided to come up with a scheme in which they get legal aid, legal assistance and legal advice," Justice Kant said "To provide this facility, we spoke to the concerned wings of the defence department. We will establish legal aid clinics in district and state Sainik Boards," he added. The Supreme Court judge explained that former soldiers who have secured a legal degree and become advocates will be engaged as legal aid counsels and family members of soldiers can also serve as paralegal volunteers. To a question on Operation Sindoor, which was India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Justice Kant said every citizen of India felt proud of the soldiers. "The military, the soldiers, have made each citizen feel proud. They gave a befitting reply to the attack on our country's integrity, on innocent citizens. The response made every citizen emotional and filled them with nationalistic feelings. In such a situation, we thought that when these people are doing so much for the country, in remote areas and at the borders, we should provide them this help," he said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Indian Soldiers Get Big Legal Lifeline: Historic Scheme to Protect Families of Defence Personnel
For the first time in India's history, a judicial shield has been extended to protect soldiers' families at home, while they serve the nation in distant, harsh terrains. The NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025, launched by Justice Surya Kant, ensures that Indian soldiers no longer fight a two-front war, one at the border, another in courtrooms back home. The judiciary, moved by the sacrifices during Operation Sindoor, has stepped in to assist with legal disputes, pensions, service issues, and civil matters that often go unresolved due to troop mobility. From Kargil to Kupwara, Andaman to Arunachal, legal help will now reach every soldier's doorstep. In an emotional tribute, J&K CM Omar Abdullah and LG Manoj Sinha acknowledged this as a milestone for justice delivery and defence dignity. The message is clear: 'You protect the nation, we will protect your rights.'#veerparivaryojana #indianarmy #nalsa2025 #suriyakant #defencenews #vijaydiwas #legalaidforsoldiers #operationSindoor #borderheroes #indiafirst #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews Read More
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Government Assures Soldiers: Serve At Borders, Well Care For Your Family With New Yojana
New Delhi: For the first time in the country's history, the families of Indian soldiers will receive proactive legal assistance under a new initiative titled the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025. Designed to ease domestic legal burdens for troops posted in remote and challenging locations, the scheme sends a clear message: 'While you serve the borders, we'll serve your family's legal rights at home.' According to an NDTV report, the programme will be officially launched today at a conference in Srinagar by Justice Surya Kant, the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the incoming Chief Justice of India. The launch event is also expected to see the presence of Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The origin of the scheme lies in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. As reported by NDTV, sources said Justice Surya Kant was profoundly affected by the sacrifices made by the armed forces during the operation and began contemplating how the judicial system could better support them. He reportedly stated that the legal community has a responsibility to assist soldiers who risk their lives for the nation but are often left to face personal legal battles alone. Set to be inaugurated before Justice Kant assumes office as Chief Justice of India on November 24, the scheme is aimed at resolving a persistent issue: soldiers posted in far-off or conflict-prone zones are frequently unable to manage ongoing legal cases related to property disputes, family matters, or land issues back in their home states. For instance, a soldier stationed in Jammu and Kashmir may find it impossible to attend court proceedings in Kerala or Tamil Nadu due to leave constraints or lack of access. The new programme will allow NALSA to step in and ensure legal representation in such cases, providing a much-needed support structure. The initiative will not be limited to the Indian Army alone—it will also extend to paramilitary forces, including personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and other security units serving in high-risk or remote conditions.
