News:According to the National Legal Services Authority(NALSA), around 11,077 undertrials have been released from prisons nationwide as part of the mission to decongest jails following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Facts:
- NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- Aim: To provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
- Chairman: The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief.
- Executive Chairman: Second Senior most Judge of the Supreme Court.
- State Level: State Legal Services Authority is headed by Chief Justice of the respective High Court.
- District Level: District Legal Services Authority is chaired by the District Judge of the respective district.
Additional Facts:
- Article 39(a): It is part of the Directive Principles of state policy.It states that equal opportunity to secure justice must not be denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities and provides for free legal aid.
- Articles 14 and 22(1): It makes it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and a legal system which promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity to all.
- Lok Adalats: It is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/ compromised amicably.Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act,1987.
