Constitution Section 39A — Equal justice and free legal aid

Summary

The State must make sure that the legal system works in a way that gives everyone a fair chance at justice. It must especially provide free legal help, through laws or programs or other means, so that no citizen is denied access to justice because of poverty or other disadvantages.

Official Text

The State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.

Related Judgments

• RANJAN DWIVEDI vs UNION OF INDIA — Supreme Court of India (1983)
• MADRAY HAYAWADANRAO HOSKOT vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Supreme Court of India (1978)
• MOHAMMED AJMAL MOHAMMAD AMIR KASAB @ ABU MUJAHID vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Supreme Court of India (2012)
• Mumbai-4000 032. vs 1), Union of India — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2014)
• BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA vs UNION OF INDIA — Supreme Court of India (2012)
• ANOKHILAL vs STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH — Supreme Court of India (2019)