Justice Surya Kant-led NALSA launches free national legal aid scheme for soldiers, veterans

In a significant move to deepen institutional outreach and bolster access to justice for the nation’s armed forces, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), led by senior Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant, on Saturday launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025 — a first-of-its-kind nationwide scheme aimed at providing free legal assistance to soldiers, veterans and their families.

- Utkarsh Anand

Unveiling the scheme in Srinagar, Justice Kant, also the executive chairman of NALSA, said the initiative marks the judiciary’s solemn commitment to those who defend the country’s borders under the harshest of conditions.

Speaking to HT, Justice Kant, who is in line to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India in November this year, called the scheme “a fulfilment of a constitutional duty” and a step towards building “close proximity between the judiciary and the uniformed forces”.

“This scheme has been launched with the unique object of providing legal aid, advice and assistance to the families of army and paramilitary personnel. Because of the unique nature of their responsibilities and their remote postings, they cannot spare themselves to come and fight litigation,” Justice Kant said.