Legal Aid as a Pillar of Justice: How It Can Transform India's Justice System

Legal aid plays a very crucial role in providing justice in countries like India, where the population is extremely high, and where the population consists of millions living below the poverty line. Legal aid becomes a necessity when a substantial amount of the population is unaware of their legal as well as fundamental rights. The Indian Constitution, under Article 39-A, makes it mandatory for the state to ensure equal justice and free legal aid to citizens who are unable to access the legal system owing to economic or other disabilities. The term justice can only be satisfied when it is accessible to all without any discrimination. If the mandate of legal aid is applied properly, it can transform India's justice delivery system fundamentally.