New Delhi: Emphasising the importance of making justice accessible to every citizen, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday said that affordable, timely and inclusive legal support is at the heart of a strong democracy. He was speaking at the National Consultation 2026 on the Tele-Law initiative under the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme, organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice in New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President underlined that access to justice should never remain limited to a few, but must reach every section of society. He described the consultation as a meaningful step towards ensuring that justice becomes a right that is truly available to all, rather than a privilege.
He also pointed to recent changes in India’s legal framework, particularly the transition to new criminal laws, calling it a significant move towards a more citizen-friendly system. According to him, these reforms aim to simplify processes and make the justice delivery system more efficient and responsive to people’s needs.
Highlighting the growing role of technology, he spoke about how initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfer and tele-medicine have already transformed service delivery in other sectors. In this context, he described the Tele-Law initiative as a powerful example of how digital tools can help bridge the gap between citizens and legal services. He explained that providing legal advice at the pre-litigation stage can help resolve disputes early, reduce the number of cases reaching courts, and ease the overall burden on the judicial system.
The Vice President also stressed the importance of making legal services more inclusive by addressing language barriers. He appreciated efforts to make the Constitution available in multiple regional languages and encouraged the use of local languages in legal consultations. This, he said, would help people better understand their rights and participate more confidently in the legal process.
Speaking about the way forward, he outlined three key priorities—ensuring inclusivity, maintaining quality and accountability, and promoting purposeful innovation. He called for focused efforts to strengthen last-mile delivery of legal services, especially for women, rural populations and marginalised communities who often face challenges in accessing justice.
He also acknowledged the important role played by para-legal volunteers, Common Service Centres, panel lawyers and other stakeholders working at the grassroots level. Their efforts, he noted, have been crucial in taking legal services closer to people across the country.
The Vice President appreciated the Ministry of Law and Justice and its partner organisations for using technology effectively to build a more responsive and equitable legal ecosystem.
During the event, several new initiatives and knowledge resources were launched to further strengthen legal awareness and service delivery. Among them was the “Voice of Beneficiaries” Booklet 2025–26, which highlights real-life stories of individuals who have benefited from Tele-Law services.
An AI-powered chatbot named ‘Nyaya Setu’ was also introduced. Designed to act as a digital bridge between citizens and legal assistance, the chatbot aims to make legal information and support more easily accessible.
To further improve public engagement, especially in rural and digitally underserved areas, a Nyaya Setu Mascot was unveiled. The mascot has been designed as a simple and relatable symbol to connect with people and promote awareness about legal rights and services.
In addition, a series of legal awareness comic books developed in collaboration with National Law University, Delhi, was launched to make legal knowledge more engaging and easy to understand, particularly for younger audiences.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with other dignitaries, was also present at the event.