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56,877 poor, helpless get legal aid at govt expense in 6 months


By BSS
Published : 24 Sep 2022 10:20 PM

A total of 56,877 poor, helpless and financially insolvent justice-seekers were provided with legal assistance at government expense in six months from July to December in 2021-2022 fiscal.

 This information has been revealed in a report on website of National Legal Aid Services Organisation.

In the six-month period, 12,797 poor, helpless and financially insolvent people received free legal aid, legal advice and information services by dialing hotline number '16430' (toll-free).  

 Eligibility of minority ethnic groups to get legal aid in the apex court of the country is ensured in the Legal Aid Policy, said Supreme Court Legal Aid Chairman Justice Jahangir Hossain Salim in the 22nd meeting of the committee.

The Awami League-led government enacted the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000 to provide legal assistance at the government's expense to the financially insolvent, helpless and incapable people seeking justice.

After winning the elections held on December 29, 2008, the Awami League took various steps to ensure justice for the poor, helpless and indigent people and it continues to do so.

Agencies add: Legal aid is given to poor people at government expense in the Supreme Court, High Court and Appellate Division, all the lower courts of the country, Labor Court.

Eligibility of minority ethnic groups or minority ethnic groups to get legal aid in the highest court of the country is ensured in the Legal Aid Policy. Supreme Court Legal Aid Chairman Justice Jahangir Hossain Salim informed this in the 22nd meeting of the committee and said that according to sub-paragraph (e) of Article 2 of the Legal Aid Policy, 2014, the people of any minority ethnic group or minority ethnic entity community may directly seek legal services. will be considered eligible for admission.

The Awami League-led government enacted the ‘Legal Aid Provision Act-2000’ to provide legal aid at government expense to financially indigent, indigent litigants. Subsequent governments have taken no significant steps to implement the Act. After winning the elections held on December 29, 2008 and forming the government, the Awami League took various steps to ensure the justice of the poor and disadvantaged people and continues to implement the law.

The Act enacted in 2000 established the ‘National Legal Aid Agency’. The main office of this organization has been established at 145, New Bailey Road in the capital. Its scope has now been established up to the Supreme Court, all districts of the country, subordinate courts, labor courts, district, upazila and union levels. Formation of District Committee, each District Judge has its office in Court. This service is now at people’s doorstep through various campaigns, campaigns, seminars-workshops and projects. This service has now been made easier by the use of information technology. The National Legal Aid Agency has its own website for details. All the detailed information about the provision of national legal aid is known on this website.