By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun 29 Sept: Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University, has been linked with the Pro-Bono Legal Services Scheme of the Department of Justice, Government of India. A Pro-Bono Club was duly established in the college, here, today.
It was inaugurated by the District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Pradeep Pant. Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Senior Civil Judge Harsh Yadav, Chancellor of the University Jitendra Joshi, Vice-President Dr Satbir Singh Sehgal and Vice Chancellor Prof Dharam Buddhi were present as special guests.
The event was conducted in hybrid mode. Mahima Khera, Programme Associate from the Department of Justice, Government of India, participated online.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Rajesh Bahuguna stated that the Pro-Bono Legal services programme was launched in April 2017. An initiative of the Department of Justice, the programme is aimed at fulfilling the Department’s critical mandate of enhancing “access to justice” for marginalised sections of society and the State’s constitutional obligation of providing “free legal aid” for all. The programme seeks to put in place an institutional structure that will promote pro-bono culture in India. On the one hand, the programme would facilitate delivery of quality legal assistance to the marginalised communities, on the other hand it would ensure that lawyers who volunteer their valuable time and service towards this public service are duly recognised for their contribution.
While addressing the function, Secretary, Legal Aid Authority, Harsh Yadav underlined the importance of Nyaya-Bandhu and Tele law project. He emphasised on better coordination between Pro-Bono Club, Law College Dehradun, and State Legal Aid Authority for achieving the objectives of this project.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dharma Buddhi said that a record will be set by the university by connecting maximum number of alumni to the Nyaya Bandhu scheme.
Chief Guest Pradeep Pant thanked the organisers of the function and said that providing free legal aid is a national obligation as per the Directive Principles of the Constitution. Nyaya-Bandhus have an important role in the legal aid movement. Law students will act as a bridge in this direction by using the knowledge of law and modern technology. Describing the Indian Constitution as the most important event in Indian history, Pant advised the Pro-Bono Club to work as a social and technical platform to fulfill the objectives of the Constitution.
Those present on the occasion were Chancellor Jitender Joshi, Harsh Yadav, Vice President Dr Satbir Sehgal, Vice Chancellor Prof Dharam Buddhi, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Rajesh Bahuguna, Prof Poonam Rawat, Kumar Ashutosh, Dr Anil Dixit, Abhiranjan Dixit, Aman Rab, Shiva Verma, Rajat Dua, Shankar Sharma, faculty members and students.
