PM Modi Advocates for Justice Delivery in Local Languages: Strengthening Legal Aid for All Citizens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of making court judgments and legal documents available in local languages during his address on Saturday.

Speaking at the inaugural function of a national conference on strengthening legal aid delivery mechanisms at the Supreme Court premises, PM Modi advocated for simplifying legal language to ensure it is easily comprehensible for the local population.

The Prime Minister stressed that ease of justice must be guaranteed for all citizens regardless of their social or financial status, highlighting that accessible justice is fundamental to achieving social justice.

Modi praised the Supreme Court for taking significant steps toward making legal documents available in regional languages, noting that the apex court has already translated over 80,000 judgments into 18 Indian languages.

"Language of justice should be the one that is understood by those getting justice," PM Modi stated, adding that this principle should be considered when drafting laws to improve compliance and reduce litigation.

The event was attended by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, his successor Surya Kant, and numerous judges from the Supreme Court and high courts across the country.

PM Modi emphasized that the government's legal aid defense system is playing a crucial role in facilitating access to justice for the poor and marginalized communities.

He highlighted technological advancements in the judicial system, praising the e-courts project as an excellent example of how technology can modernize and humanize justice delivery processes.

The Prime Minister outlined various government initiatives over the past 11 years aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and ease of living, including the elimination of over 40,000 unnecessary business compliances.

Through the Jan Vishwas Act, more than 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalized, and over 1,500 obsolete laws have been repealed. Modi noted that traditional laws have now been replaced with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Highlighting India's historical emphasis on mediation, the Prime Minister mentioned the new Mediation Act that continues this tradition in a contemporary format.

At the event organized by NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) marking its 30th anniversary, Modi launched a new training module on community mediation, expressing confidence that it would help resolve disputes, maintain harmony, and reduce litigation.

He reported that millions of disputes are being resolved more quickly and cost-effectively through Lok Adalats and pre-litigation settlements. "Under the legal aid defence counsel system started by the Government of India, more than eight lakh criminal cases have been settled within just three years. These efforts by the government have ensured ease of justice for the less privileged," he said.

NALSA was established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide free legal services to disadvantaged sections of society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable dispute resolution.

The Chief Justice of India serves as NALSA's Patron-in-Chief, with the next senior-most Supreme Court judge acting as Executive Chairman.

State legal services authorities have been established throughout India to implement NALSA's policies and directions, providing free legal assistance and conducting Lok Adalats at the state level.

Article 39A of the Constitution mandates that the state ensure the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity and provides free legal aid to prevent citizens from being denied justice due to economic or other disadvantages.

Articles 14 and 22(1) of the Constitution also make it obligatory for the state to ensure equality before the law and a legal system that promotes justice based on equal opportunity for all.