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Justice is one of the foundational pillars of any democracy. The Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Equality before Law (Article 14) and the Right to Legal Aid (Article 39A), ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of financial or social background, has access to justice. Yet many marginalized groups — particularly women and economically weaker sections — struggle to afford quality legal representation.
To address this gap, the Government of India, under the Department of Justice (DoJ), Ministry of Law & Justice, launched the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) initiative. This platform connects practicing advocates with individuals who require free legal aid, helping ensure justice is not a privilege of the few but a right for all.
As of recent data, 9,261 advocates have registered under the programme. Together they have provided pro bono legal services to more than 14,888 women, assisting them in matters such as domestic violence, workplace harassment, family disputes, and property rights. Beyond the numbers, Nyaya Bandhu is about humanizing justice delivery — it is a social justice movement powered by volunteer advocates.
What is Nyaya Bandhu?
The term Nyaya Bandhu literally means “Friend of Justice.” Launched in 2017 by the Department of Justice, it is a pro bono legal services programme designed to build a network of volunteer advocates who provide free legal advice and representation to marginalized citizens.
How it works
The programme operates through a digital platform and mobile app where:
- Advocates register voluntarily to offer free legal services;
- Beneficiaries from vulnerable groups can apply for legal assistance;
- Cases are matched to advocates based on location, expertise and availability — reducing bureaucratic delays.
Key features
- Pro Bono Advocate Registration: Lawyers from across India register to provide voluntary free legal services.
- Beneficiary Eligibility: Focused on women, SCs, STs, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
- Scope: Legal advice, document drafting, court representation and dispute resolution.
- Tech-enabled: Matching platform and app; integrates with Tele-Law and other outreach programmes.
- Recognition: Certificates and appreciation from the DoJ incentivize volunteerism.
History of Legal Aid in India
The idea of providing legal assistance to the poor in India draws from both ancient communal dispute-resolution practices and modern constitutional commitments. While village panchayats and local councils in earlier times provided informal dispute resolution, the modern struggle for accessible justice took shape after independence.
Constitutional foundations
Post-independence, the framers included legal aid as a Directive Principle. Article 39A (added by the 42nd amendment in 1976) instructs the State to ensure justice is not denied due to economic or other disabilities. This principle connects with the fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21, and has been reinforced by judicial interpretation.
Judicial milestones
Several Supreme Court judgments recognized legal aid as integral to the right to life and liberty:
- Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979): Established free legal aid as part of Article 21.
- M.H. Hoskot v. State of Maharashtra (1978): Emphasized state-provided legal assistance at state expense in criminal trials.
- Khatri II v. State of Bihar (1981): Stressed availability of free legal aid early in the criminal process.
Institutionalization: NALSA & Legal Services Authorities
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 created an institutional framework — NALSA at the national level and Legal Services Authorities (LSAs) at state and district levels. The Act also formalised Lok Adalats for quick and informal dispute resolution and mandated legal literacy campaigns.
Digital & pro bono evolution
Gaps remained despite NALSA’s work (awareness, urban bias, capacity limits). Newer initiatives such as Tele-Law (video-conference legal advice via CSCs) and Nyaya Bandhu (pro bono digital platform) emerged to fill those gaps and create a culture of socially responsible lawyering.
Why Nyaya Bandhu Matters
For citizens, Nyaya Bandhu helps ensure that poverty or social exclusion does not bar access to justice. For lawyers, it is an opportunity to practice public-spirited lawyering. For governance, it demonstrates State commitment to constitutional ideals like equality and dignity of citizens.
Exam relevance (UPSC / State PSCs)
Nyaya Bandhu links to topics routinely asked in competitive exams — constitutional provisions (Articles 14, 21, 39A), welfare schemes, legal empowerment of women, and state responses to social justice problems. Remembering the scheme, its launch year (2017), and its volunteer/digital approach is useful for both prelims and mains answers.
Conclusion
Nyaya Bandhu represents a meaningful step in India's continuing effort to ensure access to justice for all. By encouraging volunteerism among the legal community and using technology to match beneficiaries with willing advocates, the initiative complements existing institutional frameworks like NALSA and Tele-Law. For women and other vulnerable groups, it has become an important channel to seek legal remedies and regain dignity.
For exam aspirants and civic-minded readers alike, Nyaya Bandhu is an instructive example of how governance, technology, and social responsibility can converge to improve the lives of citizens.
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