Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant virtually inaugurated a specialised legal aid centre for armed forces personnel and their families on Monday, emphasising that those who fight for the country deserve ‘justice and honour’ while their families merit ‘justice with dignity.’ The program was organised by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Srinagar.
Under the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, the inauguration of a dedicated legal aid centre for armed forces took place at the Sainik Welfare Department in Ghorpadi, coinciding with Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations. The initiative was a collaborative effort between the National Legal Services Authority, Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority, District Legal Services Authority, Pune and the Maharashtra State Soldier Welfare Department.
Speaking at the event, Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar said, “The Legal Aid Centre is a step to honour soldiers and their families. It is an excellent example of administration, judiciary and social commitment working together.” He emphasised that providing timely and free legal aid with dignity is essential for military personnel and their dependents.
Justice Mahendra K. Mahajan, principal district and sessions judge, Pune, said that around 50 percent of citizens are unaware of available legal aid schemes and government benefits. “This especially includes the families of military officers and employees,” he said. “Our soldiers do not retreat under any circumstances; they always stand to protect the country. Protecting them and their families is the true form of justice.”
Secretary of Pune District Legal Services Authority Sonal Patil said, “A soldier fights on the battlefield, but after him, his family’s fight for justice begins. It is our duty to stand by them in that fight.”
The centre will provide legal services, including advice on criminal, civil, service, and pension matters, assistance with accident and insurance compensation cases, guidance on property disputes, information about government schemes, free legal representation, and counselling services.
