Free Legal Aid Camp

With an initiative to spread legal awareness among the people who are unaware of their judicial rights, the Faculty Of Law, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University along with the District Legal Service Authority, Meerut organized a Free Legal Aid And Awareness Camp on 5th March 2022 at D.S. Boarding School, Village Nangla Jamalpur, Baghpat Road, Meerut under the direction of Sh. Rajesh Chandra (former Judge, High Court of Judicature, Prayagraj, UP) Director, Faculty Of Law, Subharti University and in the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Vaibhav Goel Bhartiya, Dean, Faculty of Law, Subharti University, Meerut. Mrs. Anju Kamboj, Secretary, District Legal Service Authority, Meerut was the chief speaker of the event. The camp focussed on rendering free legal service in conduction of pending litigation or other judicial proceedings before the court of law to the people who are in the dire need of legal support but are unable to bear the expenses of the court proceedings as explained by Ms. Shalini Goel, Member of the Legal Committee, Faculty of Law, Subharti University, Meerut. In this regard, the eligibility to avail Free Legal Aid service is that the person should be a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe/ a victim of human trafficking/ bigger/ woman or a child/ a mentally ill or otherwise disabled person/ a victim of mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, natural disasters/ an industrial workman, etc. The person desirous to avail of this service should not be earning more than Rs. 1,00,000 P.A. Ms. Goel informed the audience about the Virtual Legal Aid Clinic run by the Faculty of Law, Subharti University which facilitates the anonymous registration of the complaints via email- vidhikmitra.law@subharti.org. The complainant can also send his/her complaint through Whatsapp number 9639010415 or may book a slot for any legal advice by dialing the landline number 0121-6678000

Afterward, Dr. Prem Chandra, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Subharti University talked about the significant topics which included child safety, fraudulence, and the POCSO Act. Mr. Himanshu Panwar, a Student of BA.L.L.B.’s 3rd year, enlightened the audience by providing a deep insight into the Fundamental Rights of the people of India. He elucidated that having entitled to certain rights also creates responsibilities and one must abide by the obligations towards the Fundamental Rights. Mr. Panwar insisted on being aware of these Fundamental Rights so as to prevent oneself from being subject to any injustice. Mr. Anil Kishore, a Student of B.A.L.L.B 3rd year, threw light on the history and current state of the Fundamental Duties provided by The Constitution of India. He stressed the idea that one must obey the eleven Fundamental Duties to uphold the sovereignty, integrity, and unity of the nation. One must be ready to defend the nation and render national services, as and when required. Mr. Kishore mentioned that every child between the age of 6 to 14 years has the Right To Education which he/she must receive. He also put forth the idea of “Responsibilities First, Rights Later”. Moving forward, Mohd. Tanzeel,a Student of B.A.L.LB. 3rd year, informed the audience about the Dowry (Prohibition) Act, 1961 which was enacted with the objective to prevent the giving and receiving of a dowry. Mr. Tanzeel explained that the breachment of any of the provisions of this act can lead a person to pay the fine of Rs.1,500 along with imprisonment for the term of 5 years. He also said that the act is applicable to each and every religion.

Last but one, the chief speaker of the event, Mrs. Anju Kamboj informed the audience about the works of the District Legal Service Authority and Lok Adalat. She explained that Lok Adalat is a place where various pending disputes of the court of law are settled amicably. She further stated that Lok Adalat has been given the Statutory status under the Legal Authorities Act, 1987. She encouraged the people whose cases remain pending in the court to move to the Lok Adalats

because it wouldn’t cost them a penny and also the money they’ve spent paying the fees of the court would be returned to them. She, further, explained the varieties of the disputes which can be resolved through Lok Adalat.

To conclude, Sh. Satish, the Gram Pradhan of Nangla Jamalpur, Mazra expressed gratitude to the District Legal Service Authority and Faculty of Law, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University for organizing such an event which would play an important role in making people more aware of their rights and duties and helping them to become ideal citizens.