VP calls for inclusive, tech-enabled justice at Tele-Law meet

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday underscored the need to ensure accessible, affordable and timely justice for all citizens, stating that access to justice must remain a fundamental right rather than a privilege for a select few.Addressing the National Consultation 2026 on the Tele-Law initiative in New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme, the Vice President highlighted the growing role of technology in bridging the justice gap.He noted that initiatives such as Tele-Law can significantly expand access to legal assistance, particularly for rural and marginalised communities, by leveraging digital platforms to deliver citizen-centric services. Emphasising that justice delivery must evolve with changing times, Radhakrishnan said technology-driven interventions can help democratise legal services across the country.

Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the National Consultation on Tele-Law initiative, organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice under the DISHA scheme in New Delhi today.

Emphasising that access to justice is a cornerstone of democracy, he said National… pic.twitter.com/Um1fkcovSN

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) March 29, 2026

Referring to recent legal reforms, the Vice President described the transition to new criminal laws as a historic step towards simplifying procedures and improving efficiency in the justice system. He added that such reforms are aimed at making the system more responsive and citizen-focused.Highlighting the transformative impact of digital governance, he cited examples like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and telemedicine, stating that similar technological advancements in the legal domain can reduce barriers to justice. Tele-Law, he noted, provides pre-litigation legal advice that can help resolve disputes at an early stage, reduce unnecessary litigation and ease the burden on courts.
Radhakrishnan also stressed the importance of linguistic inclusion, calling for legal services to be made available in regional languages to enhance accessibility and public participation. He urged stakeholders to prioritise last-mile delivery of legal services, particularly for women and underserved communities.Outlining key focus areas for the initiative, he highlighted inclusivity, quality, accountability and innovation with purpose as critical pillars for strengthening the justice delivery system.
The Vice President commended the efforts of para-legal volunteers, Common Service Centres and panel lawyers for their grassroots contribution in expanding access to justice. He also praised the Ministry for leveraging technology to build a more inclusive and responsive legal ecosystem.During the event, several initiatives were launched to boost legal awareness and outreach, including the “Voice of Beneficiaries” Booklet 2025–26, an AI-powered chatbot ‘Nyaya Setu’ aimed at connecting citizens with legal services, a public engagement mascot, and a series of legal awareness comic books developed in collaboration with the National Law University, Delhi.Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and other dignitaries were also present at the session.