'Awareness on laws essential for speedy disposal of cases'

Legal Services Authority will provide free legal assistance to poor to fight cases

He was speaking after inaugurating a legal awareness camp organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Legal Services Authority in association with Kudroli Sri Bhagavathi Yuvajana Seva Samiti Women’s Wing and Mangalore Bar Association at the Town Hall here on Sunday. Deshpande said that awareness on laws is essential for the speedy disposal of cases and also to ensure justice to every citizens, which is guaranteed in the Indian Constitution.

Talking about fundamental rights of the citizens, Deshpande said that the 42nd amendment to the Constitution also has reference with regard to the fundamental duties of citizens. Hence, people should have basic knowledge on laws, he added.

Delivering the presidential address, First Additional District Sessions Judge Anchate Sanjeev Kumar said, “citizens should compulsorily acquire knowledge on laws, since rules are meant only for them.”

Explaining about the importance of awareness on law, Kumar said that one who does not have legal awareness, beyond doubt, will fall in trouble in future in his day-to-day transactions. People nurture dreams of buying a site in their city. However, if one does not look at the legal sides before buying a site, he may be trapped in the legal complications, he added.

Further, he pointed out that awareness on laws among people will help in reducing corruption in government offices. One who has knowledge on rules can speak to any government official without any fear or hesitation. “Most of the patriots, who fought for the freedom of nation, were advocates. It was their knowledge on laws which made them freedom fighters,” he added.

Delivering the keynote address, Mangalore Bar Association President S P Changappa said that the Legal Services Authority has three major objectives. First of all, it intends to create awareness on laws among citizens. Secondly, the Authority helps people for the speedy disposal of their cases through Janatha Nyayalayas. The most important objective is to provide legal assistance to poor people for their cases starting from lower courts to the Supreme Court, he added.

Principal Civil Judge Anand N Pattana, industrialist Rohidas Bangera, Kudroli Sri Bhagavathi Temple President Ganesh Kuntalpadi, Temple Administrator V Ananda, Sri Bhagavathi Co-operative Bank President K Narayana and Yuvajana Seva Samiti President Lokesh Bolar were present.  Resource persons First Additional District Sessions Judge Anchate Sanjeev Kumar, senior advocates Premnath and Udayanand delivered talks on various laws.