Justice Goes Beyond Access To Courts, Must Ensure Citizens Receive Benefits Of Their Rights: CJI Surya Kant At Jharkhand Legal Services Camp
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
3 Nov 2026 10:49 AM IST

A State-Level Legal Services-cum-Empowerment Camp was organised at the Civil Court, Deoghar, Jharkhand, on November 2, 2026, under the aegis of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA), with the support of the District Legal Services Authority and District Administration, Deoghar. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant attended the programme as the Chief Guest.
The event was also attended by Supreme Court Judges Justice Chandrashekhar and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Jharkhand High Court Judge and Executive Chairman of JHALSA Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, and Jharkhand High Court Judge Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay, along with other judges and dignitaries.
Delivering the inaugural address, Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad stated that the objective of the camp was to connect awareness of legal rights with actual assistance and benefits under government schemes, so that justice and assistance could reach those at the last rung of society. He emphasised that no person should be deprived of their rights due to a lack of information, necessary documents or proper guidance. He further stated that the success of the camp should not be confined to distributing benefits, but should also involve ensuring that assistance reaches beneficiaries, pending applications are acted upon and concerned departments conduct regular reviews.
In his keynote address, CJI Surya Kant emphasised that the true meaning of justice was not merely access to courts, but ensuring that ordinary citizens actually received the benefits of their rights. He cited examples such as securing withheld pensions for elderly women, ensuring payment of workers' wages, enabling children to continue their education and extending timely assistance to affected families. The CJI urged legal services institutions to reach out to those in need and listen to their problems with sensitivity. Referring to NALSA's Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana and the Mediation for the Nation campaign, he highlighted the importance of legal awareness in local languages in Jharkhand's tribal and remote areas, along with the role of Para-Legal Volunteers. He also emphasised the usefulness of legal aid clinics, the education and protection of children under Project Shishu, and continued support to beneficiaries of government schemes.
Justice Chandrashekhar appreciated the Mediation for the Nation campaign, NALSA's Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana and various public-welfare programmes being implemented at the initiative of CJI Surya Kant. He stated that these schemes and programmes had provided legal assistance and relief to thousands of people in need.
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh particularly appreciated Project Shishu, being implemented in Jharkhand to protect children and ensure their rights. He highlighted the work undertaken through the project to provide legal assistance and necessary protection to orphaned and needy children, and emphasised the role of legal services institutions in securing their education, safety, proper care and better future.
During the programme, CJI Surya Kant virtually inaugurated Legal Aid Clinics established at Bhishma Narayan Singh Law College in Palamau and Sarala Birla University in Ranchi. Further, assets and benefits worth ₹14.469 crore were distributed among 1,880 beneficiaries under various government welfare schemes. Financial assistance and compensation were also provided through cheques to beneficiaries and victims.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay of the Jharkhand High Court.

