‘Free legal aid available for 80% of population'

Due to lack of awareness about the free legal aid, which can be availed by nearly 80% of the country’s population, many end up facing problems, Principal District and Session Judge C M Joshi stressed on Thursday.

He was addressing the gathering after flagging off District Legal Literacy Chariot, organised jointly by District Legal Services Authority, Bar Association and District Police department.

Joshi said the chariot was being launched with the sole objective of increasing awareness about legal issues among the masses.

He felt that arbitration through Lok Adalat was the best possible way to close the cases. The communities in disadvantage and the women can avail free legal service. He said experts will deliver talks on different issues on law.

The chariot for next three days will travel across the district empowering people with legal knowledge. Talks will be delivered on POCSO, Motor Vehicles Act, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, juvenile law, consumers’ rights and protection, cyber crime among others.

He urged students to familarise themselves with legal issues for the better tomorrow. After launching a demonstration of EVM (electronic voting machine) and the importance of voting, the Judge urged students to mount pressure on their family members to actively take part in the elections.

Udupi Bar Association president Ratnakar Shetty said ignorance of law should not be an excuse as there are lots of opportunities for everyone to understand the intricacies of law. In the past, people were not able to acquire the knowledge due to illiteracy and lack of opportunities.

He stressed on the need to be empowered with legal knowledge. Every citizen is empowered with equal rights and freedom.

The Senior Assistant Public Prosecutor Jyothi Nayak delivered a talk on POCSO on the occasion.