Regional Workshop on Tele-Law held at SKICC: CM Omar Abdullah calls for strengthening Tele-law service to ensure timely justice, reduce court pendency

• Emphasises pro- bono legal support, technology-enabled access to justice for rural and remote areas

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today underscored the vital role of the Tele-Law initiative in expanding access to justice and easing the burden on courts, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas.

Speaking at the Regional Workshop on Tele-Law organized by Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the scheme would be further strengthened through collective efforts with the Government of India and the 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 lawyers pro- bono so that everyone gets justice at the right time and in the right place,” the Chief Minister said.

The workshop was held as part of the Tele-Law initiative under Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA), a Central Sector Scheme being implemented by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The event was also addressed by Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal. Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Justice Arun Palli, Secretary Law & Justice Government of India, Niraj Verma and other senior officials and stakeholders also participated.

Highlighting the significance of Tele-Law, the Chief Minister said the initiative plays a crucial role in resolving disputes before these escalate into litigation. “Only those cases should come to court where judicial hearing is necessary. Tele-Law helps by explaining the law, informing people about their rights, and promoting mediation. If problems are resolved before reaching court, the pressure on courts will be reduced,” he said.

The Chief Minister also stressed that while urban populations may have easier access to lawyers, people in remote areas often remain unaware of their rights and legal remedies. “For those living in rural and far-flung areas, reaching a lawyer is not easy. Tele-Law connects such people with legal support through technology,” he added.

Addressing the gathering, he underscored the transformative role of technology-enabled legal services in ensuring affordable, efficient, and timely access to justice particularly for citizens residing in remote and underserved areas of Jammu & Kashmir.

In his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated that under the Constitution, every citizen has the right to justice, while emphasising that delays in justice delivery amount to denial. “Justice delayed is justice denied. If it takes more time to get justice, then it is equivalent to not getting it,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister noted that courts across the country continue to face enormous pressure due to increase in cases and resulting pendency. While the judiciary and government are making efforts to reduce backlog, he said the challenge requires a multi-pronged approach.

“There are only three ways to reduce pendency — cases that come in should be disposed of quickly, pending cases should be reduced, and most importantly, fewer unnecessary new cases should reach the courts,” he observed.

The Chief Minister noted that the Tele-Law scheme has expanded significantly in Jammu and Kashmir. “Initially there were only two districts, now there are 20 districts. More than 4,000 panchayats are being covered and more than 7.5 lakh legal advices have been given,” he informed.

However, he said the true measure of success lies in assessing the scheme’s reach and impact relative to the population. “This number alone does not mean much unless we understand whether it is enough or whether we can do more. That is why this workshop has its purpose — to understand where we stand and how successful the scheme has been compared to other states,” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of learning from best practices adopted elsewhere and implementing them locally for wider benefit. The Chief Minister also appreciated the role of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in implementing Tele-Law, noting that the initiative has provided renewed purpose and work opportunities for these centres.

“I am thankful that through Tele-Law, the Common Service Centres are getting more work,” he said. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that strengthening Tele-Law through such deliberations would help reach more people and reduce court burden.

“If we can strengthen Tele-Law through this workshop, we can reach more people and reduce the pressure on the courts,” he said, adding that he believed the workshop was a successful step towards inclusive justice delivery.

The workshop was convened as part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to strengthen access to justice through technology-enabled legal services and to foster informed deliberations among key stakeholders.