Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the National Conference on ‘Strengthening Legal Aid Mechanisms’ at the Delhi High Court on November 8, 2025. Chief Justice of India Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai and newly appointed Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant were also present. | Photo credit: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (November 8, 2025) said that when justice is accessible to all, delivered on time and reaches every individual irrespective of his social or financial background, then it truly becomes the basis of social justice.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a national conference on ‘Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms’ at the Supreme Court of India.
He stressed the importance of legal awareness, adding that a poor individual cannot get justice until he is aware of his rights, understands the law and overcomes his fear of the complexities of the system.
Emphasizing that legal aid plays a key role in ensuring access to justice, Mr. Modi highlighted how legal services authorities act as a bridge between the judiciary and the common citizen in every corner of society.
He also expressed satisfaction that through Lok Adalats and pre-suit settlements, thousands of disputes are being resolved expeditiously, amicably and at low cost.
The Prime Minister said that under the Defense Legal Aid Scheme initiated by the Government of India, nearly eight million criminal cases have been solved in just three years. He also claimed that these efforts have ensured ease of justice for the poor, downtrodden, deprived and marginalized across the country.
Also read | Opinion: The limits of simplification
Mr. Modi also highlighted that more than 40,000 unnecessary regulations for businesses have been removed, more than 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalized through the Jan Vishwas Act and more than 1,500 outdated laws have been repealed.
“The age-old laws have now been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” he said.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), which has been trying to connect the judiciary with the underprivileged citizens of the country in its three decades of service. He noticed that those who turn to legal services offices often lack resources, representation and sometimes hope.
Emphasizing the importance of language in justice, Mr. Modi said justice must be delivered in a language understood by the recipient. He said this principle must be taken into account while drafting laws. When people understand the law in their own language, it leads to better compliance and less litigation.
He emphasized the need for judgments and legal documents to be available in local languages and appreciated the Supreme Court’s initiative to translate over 80,000 judgments into 18 Indian languages. He expressed full confidence that this effort would continue in the High and District Courts as well.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Justice of India BR Gavai also attended the event.
Judge Gavai emphasized at the event that legal aid must be proactive.
“We must continue to think of legal aid not as a reactive system but as a living movement. We must not wait for distress to knock on our door… The strength of a just society lies in our ability to anticipate where injustice may occur and get there before it does,” Chief Justice Gavai said.
NALSA Chairman and Chief Justice of India nominee Justice Surya Kant said that legal aid must be made more accessible through a humane approach.
“It must be easier to get legal aid. This requires both administrative reforms and humane practice. Technology offers real opportunities such as remote clinics, online conciliation and digital grievance portals; but technology alone will not be enough. It must be guided by local knowledge, language availability and human empathy,” said Justice Kant.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 21:39 IST
