Schoolkids to learn basic laws

To apprise school kids of  basic understanding of law, district legal services authority (DLSA)  has partnered with government schools to commence legal literacy clubs.

“On Monday our team met 50 principals of different schools in the city of Gurgaon where we worked at the blueprint,” said chief metropolitan magistrate Narinder Kaur, secretary of DLSA. This is an initiative of district and session judge Dr B B Prasoon, chairman of DLSA, who met with the education department officials some time ago to work out the modalities. “We have a range of law books which explain complicated legal procedures in a comprehensible way. These books will be used to teach basic laws at schools and colleges,” added Kaur.

The books are ready reckoner of Hindu Law, Domestic Violence Act and others. DLSA gives legal aid to the poor litigants and also provides services of advocates free-of-charge to the under-trial accused.

However, the number of applicants who knock on the court’s door for free services, is declining to rock bottom levels.

In August, only 18 people solicited free services at the authority, of which 11 were already in the police and judicial custody. In May, June and July, the figure stood at 19, 18 and 4.

The number of applicants is incredibly low despite an ever-increasing litigation in the trial courts.

According to an unofficial figure, there are close to 1,20,000 cases being fought in the Gurgaon court.

“Ideally, there should be only 500 cases per judge in a trial court. But thanks to shortage of judges and increasing litigation, each judge is now made to hear close to 4,000 cases,” said a judicial officer.

As of now, the initiative is being run only in government schools and colleges but within a few weeks, it will expand to private institutions too.

“These clubs will not only spread awareness about the DLSA but will also make our city’s kids legally aware,” said Kaur.