Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:
SUPREME Court judge Justice Surya Kant has been nominated as the Executive Chairman of NALSA (National Legal Services Authority).
“In exercise of the powers conferred under Clause (b) of subsection (2) of Section 3 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the President is pleased to nominate Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Judge, Supreme Court of India, as Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority, with effect from 14.05.2025,” said a notification published in the official gazette by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.
The post is currently held by Justice BR Gavai, the senior most puisne judge of the Supreme Court. Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, NALSA aims to provide free legal aid and ensure access to justice for the marginalised and underprivileged sections of society.
Approaching the courts may turn into a daunting task when today’s legal system has become such that the fees and other expenses are exorbitant. In order to remove this feeling of being deprived of the right to approach the judicial forum, on grounds of lack of funds, social or economic backwardness or any other disability, the whole concept of providing legal aid was envisioned. Article 39A of the Indian Constitution, a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), deals with the promotion of justice and free legal aid.
