NE LEGAL BUREAU
CHENNAI, MAR 14
A major push towards technology-enabled justice delivery gained momentum in Tamil Nadu as a Regional Workshop on the Tele-Law Programme under the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) Scheme was held at the iconic Kalaivanar Arangam.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, aims to strengthen last-mile legal services through digital platforms and grassroots participation.
- Regional Workshop in Chennai Highlights Technology-Powered Justice Delivery for Every Citizen
- 12,560 Common Service Centres Across 38 Districts Bring Pre-Litigation Legal Aid to the Doorstep
- Top Constitutional Leaders Stress Legal Awareness, Citizen Empowerment and Public Trust in Judiciary
- Toll-Free Helpline 14454 and Tele-Law App Expand Pro Bono Legal Services Nationwide
The workshop brought together senior members of the judiciary, government officials, advocates, representatives of Common Service Centres (CSCs), law students and civil society stakeholders.
The programme was attended by R. N. Ravi, Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice.
Technology for Inclusive Justice
Delivering the keynote address, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar emphasised the need to combine technology, legal awareness and community participation to ensure justice reaches every citizen.
“Citizens must understand and respect the law, and justice must reach even the remotest villages. Strengthening public faith in the judiciary is essential for achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat,” he said.
Justice as a Constitutional Right
Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari underlined that access to justice is a constitutional obligation rooted in the principles of equality and fairness.
“Access to justice is a fundamental constitutional obligation rooted in Articles 14, 21 and 39A,” he said.
Praising technology-driven initiatives, he noted: “Platforms such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu and legal awareness programmes significantly strengthen citizen engagement with legal institutions.”
He described the DISHA initiative as a transformative framework.
“DISHA is like a legal first-aid kit that moves the country from legal aid towards legal empowerment.”
Technology Expanding Legal Services
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted how digital platforms are making legal services more accessible, affordable and citizen-centric.
“Initiatives such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu and legal literacy programmes are strengthening the justice delivery ecosystem and expanding legal services at the grassroots level,” he said.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Department of Justice outlined the objectives of the DISHA framework, stressing that awareness remains the first step towards empowerment.
Tele-Law Reaches Every Corner of Tamil Nadu
A presentation at the workshop revealed that the Tele-Law programme in Tamil Nadu is being implemented through more than 12,560 Common Service Centres across all 38 districts and 16 aspirational blocks, enabling citizens to access pre-litigation legal advice through digital platforms.
The services are also available through the Tele-Law mobile application and the toll-free helpline 14454, which connects citizens to pro bono legal professionals.
Nyaya Bandhu Expands Pro Bono Legal Network
The event also showcased the progress of the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme, under which more than 10,000 advocates have registered nationwide as of February 2026.
Pro Bono Clubs have been established in 109 law colleges across India, encouraging law students to participate in legal service initiatives.
Participants also viewed presentations on the Nyaya Oli Project, implemented through Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Puducherry, and the launch of ten e-books documenting customary tribal laws from the North-East, prepared in collaboration with the Law Research Institute of the Gauhati High Court.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Joint Secretary (Access to Justice), Department of Justice.
