SHIMLA: Chief Justice High Court of Himachal Pradesh Justice Amjad A. Sayed today inaugurated the six Legal Aid Defense counsel system offices through video conferencing in six district headquarters of the state.
These are Shimla, Sirmaur at Nahan, Solan, Kangra at Dharamshala, Kullu, and Una.
These offices will provide the legal aid defense and counselling to the individuals at various stages.
With this, HP State Legal Services Authority(HPSLSA) is ahead of the target set up by National Legal Services Authority(NALSA) for each state. Target is to start 11 such offices in Himachal Pradesh.
Chief Justice lauded the efforts put in by HPSLSA for successful implementation of the six offices in the state.
Initially, NALSA had targeted to set up these offices in 12 places on a pilot project basis across the country.
But after its success, now these legal aid offices have been extended to be opened in 365 places in the District Legal Services Authorities(DLSA) of 22 States in India.
NALSA) had set a target to each State Legal Services Authority to identify 50% of district Legal Services Authorities for running these legal aid offices at district headquarters.
These Legal Aid offices aim at providing legal aid, assistance and representation in criminal matters in line with "public defender system".
It provides legal advice and assistance to all individuals visiting this office, DLSA and front office seeking assistance.
These offices provide assistance in representation/conducting trial and appeals including all miscellaneous work in all Criminal Courts-Court of Session, Special Courts and Judicial Magistrate Courts, executive Magistrate Courts.
They also handle Remand and Bail work, providing legal assistance at the pre-arrest stage as per need in accordance with NALSA's scheme.
They also make periodic visit to Prisons of the district under the guidance of the secretary, DLSA.
The present on the occasion were Justice Sabina, who is also Executive Chairperson, HPSLSA, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Justice Sandeep Sharma, Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Justice Satyen Vaidya, Justice Sushil Kukreja and Justice Virender Singh.
Prem Pal Ranta, Member Secretary, HP SLSA welcomed all present on the occasion and thanked the Chief Justice and other judges for gracing the occasion.
Ranta said this could be possible only under the able leadership of the Chief Justice and guidance of Justice Sabina.
Registrar General and other Registrars, Central Project Coordinator, Director, H.P. Judicial Academy and Additional Secretary, HPSLSA were also present on the occasion.
All other district and sessions Judges of six districts along with Judicial Officers and others joined the event virtually.