SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday commended the Tele-Law initiative during a Regional Workshop organized by the Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, emphasizing its transformative potential in delivering accessible justice to the underserved populations of rural and remote areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
The event, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, brought together key stakeholders including Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh Justice Arun Palli, Secretary Law & Justice Niraj Verma, and other senior officials. Part of the Department of Justice’s DISHA scheme, the workshop aimed to review progress and strategize enhancements for technology-enabled legal services.
In his address, the Chief Minister underscored how Tele-Law bridges the gap for those in far-flung regions who struggle to access lawyers. “For people living in rural and remote areas, reaching a lawyer is not easy. Tele-Law connects them with legal support through technology, explaining rights, promoting mediation, and resolving disputes before they escalate to courts,” Abdullah stated. He highlighted the scheme’s role in reducing court pendency, saying only cases needing judicial intervention should reach courts.
Quoting the timeless principle, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” the CM stressed that prolonged delays undermine constitutional rights. He outlined three key strategies to tackle the mounting case backlog plaguing courts nationwide: swift disposal of incoming cases, clearing pendency, and preventing unnecessary litigation through preventive measures like Tele-Law.
Abdullah shared impressive growth stats: the program has scaled from just two districts to all 20 in J&K, now covering over 4,000 panchayats and delivering more than 7.5 lakh legal advice sessions. Yet, he cautioned that raw numbers must be contextualized against population needs and compared to other states. “This workshop’s purpose is to assess our standing and adopt best practices for even greater impact,” he noted.
Expressing optimism for collaboration, the Chief Minister hoped the deliberations would lead to bolstering the scheme with the Centre and Ministry of Justice. “I hope that after this workshop, together with the Government of India and the Ministry of Justice, we will see how this scheme can be strengthened and expanded further. We will connect more pro bono lawyers so everyone gets justice at the right time and in the right place,” he said.
He also appreciated the pivotal role of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in implementation, which have gained renewed purpose and employment opportunities through Tele-Law. “I am thankful that through Tele-Law, the CSCs are getting more work,” Abdullah added, confident that such steps would reach more citizens and alleviate pressure on the judiciary.
The workshop aligns with ongoing national efforts to foster inclusive, efficient justice delivery, particularly in Union Territories like J&K, where geographical challenges amplify access barriers.
