Dimapur: Gauhati High Court judge and executive chairperson of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Justice Kalyan Rai Surana, on Tuesday stated that the mission of legal services remains ongoing as long as there are people in need of legal assistance and others striving to exercise their rights.
Flagging Off Multi-Utility Vehicles
Justice Surana made these remarks after flagging off multi-utility vehicles for the NSLSA and various District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) at the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court. He emphasized that the vehicles must be used strictly for their intended purpose and urged legal services authorities to ensure their proper and responsible utilisation.
“This is not intended to be a personal vehicle for anyone. If you are going out on an outreach programme, you are definitely there to use it. But the end event must be that it should be used only for the purpose it is assigned,” he said.
Responsibilities Beyond the Courtroom
Justice Surana reminded officers and lawyers that their responsibilities extend far beyond the judicial and legal profession. He noted that through various outreach initiatives, legal services authorities play a crucial role in reaching marginalised and underserved communities, particularly those lacking access to legal aid.
Justice Surana also stressed the importance of spreading awareness about schemes and services available to help such individuals exercise their rights. He added that it is a significant responsibility for legal officers when visiting jails to assess the condition of undertrial prisoners and others who are incarcerated.
The flagged-off vehicles are expected to enhance the reach of legal aid services across Nagaland, enabling authorities to conduct more frequent outreach programmes and ensure that justice is accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable sections of society.
