-Panchkula October 6: District Legal Services Authority , Panchkula under the aegis of (National Legal Services Authority and Haryana State Legal Services Authority), the Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Panchkula, Ms. Aparna Bhardwaj, informed that the Legal Aid Defence Counsel Scheme (LADCS) has been formally launched in District Panchkula in compliance with the directions issued by the Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA).
The implementation of this scheme marks a significant milestone in strengthening the legal aid delivery mechanism at the district level and ensuring timely and effective legal representation for underprivileged persons.
Under this scheme, a Legal Aid Defence Counsel Office has been established in Room No. 25, Mini Secretariat Building, First Floor, near District Courts, Panchkula. This dedicated office will work under the supervision of the District Legal Services Authority, Panchkula, and will handle legal aid cases of criminal nature in a structured and systematic manner.
The counsels have been appointed under the scheme and have joined their respective duties after taking the oath of office in a brief ceremony held at the office of the Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, ADR Centre, DLSA, District Courts, Panchkula. They included Sh. Pawan Kumar , Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Ms. Renu Bhardwaj , Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Ms. Anusha Jain , Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel and Sh. Abhijit Singh , Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel.
The joining and oath-taking ceremony was conducted in the presence of Ms. Aparna Bhardwaj, CJM-cum-Secretary, DLSA Panchkula. The newly appointed Legal Aid Defence Counsel team expressed their commitment to uphold the objectives of the scheme and to provide dedicated legal services to persons in need.
Going forward, the team of Legal Aid Defence Counsels shall undertake legal aid cases of criminal nature, conduct remand hour duties, make regular jail visits, and discharge all other responsibilities assigned to them as per the guidelines of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel Scheme. Their role will be crucial in ensuring that no person in conflict with law is deprived of legal representation due to financial or social constraints.
Ms. Bhardwaj informed that LADC office has been equipped with the necessary infrastructure and facilities to enable smooth functioning. Coordination between the Legal Aid Defence Counsel Office, the District Legal Services Authority, and other stakeholders will ensure speedy legal assistance, efficient case management, and improved access to justice for marginalised sections of society.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Aparna Bhardwaj stated that the introduction of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel Scheme at Panchkula is a significant step in realising the constitutional mandate of “Access to Justice for All”. She further emphasised that the DLSA remains committed to strengthening legal aid services and ensuring that legal assistance reaches the last mile effectively.
Ms. Bhardwaj stated that the the establishment of the LADCS Office is expected to bring qualitative improvement in the delivery of legal aid services in criminal matters at the district level.
