NEW DELHI: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan has called for expanding technology-driven access to justice, saying affordable, timely and inclusive legal services are fundamental to a strong democracy.
Addressing the National Consultation 2026 on the Tele-Law initiative under the DISHA scheme, organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice, he said justice must not remain a privilege for a few but a right accessible to all citizens.
Highlighting ongoing legal reforms, he described the transition to new criminal laws as a significant step toward a more citizen-centric justice system, aimed at simplifying procedures and improving efficiency.
Radhakrishnan underscored the role of technology in governance, pointing to initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfer and telemedicine, and said the Tele-Law programme can help bridge the justice gap by offering pre-litigation advice, reducing disputes and easing pressure on courts.
He stressed the need for legal services in regional languages to improve accessibility and participation, and called for focused efforts to ensure last-mile delivery, particularly for women and rural and marginalised communities. The Vice President also highlighted the contributions of para-legal volunteers, Common Service Centres and legal professionals in expanding grassroots access to justice.
During the event, he launched several initiatives, including the “Voice of Beneficiaries” booklet for 2025-26 and ‘Nyaya Setu’, an AI-powered chatbot designed to connect citizens with legal services. A mascot for Nyaya Setu and a series of legal awareness comic books developed with National Law University, Delhi were also unveiled.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and other dignitaries attended the consultation.
