Introduction: Tele Law, a collaborative initiative between MeitY and the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law & Justice, aims to provide citizens in rural areas, especially marginalized communities, with access to tele-legal consultations. This service leverages the network of Common Services Centres (CSCs) to deliver legal information and advice right to the citizens’ doorsteps.
Key Features of Tele Law
- Programme Benefits: Tele Law offers free legal aid to eligible individuals under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. This includes women, children, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalized groups.
- Tele-Law Mobile Application: To reach remote areas effectively, a dedicated mobile app has been developed for seamless access to legal services.
- Tele-Law Web Portal: The Tele-Law Portal provides comprehensive programme details in 22 official languages and features a dashboard for real-time case tracking.
- IEC Materials: Educational resources like e-tutorials, pamphlets, and radio jingles are available on the portal to raise awareness.
- Panel Lawyers: Pre-litigation advice is provided by stationed panel lawyers, and cases can be forwarded to State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) or District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) if necessary.
- State Coordinators: These coordinators ensure smooth project implementation and monitor progress within states and UTs. They also train Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and engage with local stakeholders.
Tele Law Benefits:
- Free Legal Services: All citizens of India can access Tele Law services at no cost.
- VLE Commission: VLEs receive a commission of Rs. 65 per case registration, with a maximum of 50 cases per month.
- Real-time Data: The dedicated Tele-Law dashboard captures real-time data on registered cases and consultations.
- Empowering the Marginalized: Tele Law has become a popular platform, giving a voice to the voiceless and earning public trust.
Tele Law Process Flow:
Register as an Applicant for Tele-Law:
- Download the Mobile App:
- Android: Tele-Law App
- iOS: Tele-Law App
- Alternatively, visit a nearby CSC to avail the service.
- Register Profile: Use the mobile app or visit a CSC to register your profile.
- Add Case Details: Enter the necessary details about your case.
- Select Advocate: Choose an advocate and preferred time slots.
- Receive Advice: Get pre-litigation advice from the selected advocate.
- Case Completion: If further litigation is needed, forward the case to Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono).
- Nyaya Bandhu Verification: Advocates will verify and accept or reject the case, with reassignment if necessary.
- Completion: The case will be marked as complete after consultation.
Register a Case by VLE for Tele Law Consultation:
- Login to Digital Seva Portal: Use Digital Seva Portal with your User ID and Password.
- Search for Tele-Law: Find Tele-Law in the search bar.
- Access Dashboard: Navigate to the Tele Law dashboard.
- Register Case: Enter beneficiary details and register the case.
- Select Advocate: Choose an advocate and time slot for consultation.
- Confirmation: Beneficiaries receive SMS confirmation of the consultation.
- Consultation: Beneficiaries visit the CSC for legal advice from panel lawyers.
- Close Case: The case will be marked as closed after the consultation.
- What is Tele-Law Service? Tele-Law uses video conferencing and telephone services to connect lawyers with litigants needing legal advice. It targets marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, providing services through CSCs at the gram panchayat level.
- Benefits of Tele-Law Service:
- Time and Cost Efficient: Enables citizens to seek legal advice without wasting time or money
- Free Service: Available at no cost for all citizens.
- Eligible Cases for Tele-Law Service:
- Dowry, family disputes, divorce, and domestic violence protection.
- Sexual harassment and abuse, workplace harassment.
- Maintenance of women, children, and senior citizens.
- Property and land matters.
- Employment rights like equal pay and minimum wages.
- Maternity benefits and feticide prevention.
- Child protection, education rights, and anti-child labor laws.
- Criminal matters like bail and FIR registration.
- Atrocities against SC/ST and their rehabilitation.
- Various other issues, including government schemes and financial matters.
- Role of Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE): VLEs operate CSCs and facilitate Tele-Law services. They:
- Educate beneficiaries about the service.
- Register applicants and upload necessary documents.
- Schedule appointments with panel lawyers.
- Ensure communication and coordination through SMS notifications.
- Legal Advice Seeker/Beneficiary: Any person seeking legal advice through CSCs. They must visit the CSC for consultation.
- Through Tele Law, rural and marginalized communities can now access essential legal aid easily and effectively, ensuring justice is within everyone’s reach.
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