Madras High Court Justice Saminathan inaugurated the Bhim Rao Legal Aid and Counseling Center in Coimbatore, emphasizing the importance of legal awareness and the role of lawyers in supporting marginalized communities.
Coimbatore: The inauguration ceremony of the Bhim Rao Legal Aid and Counseling Center took place in Coimbatore, with Justice Saminathan of the Madras High Court as the chief guest.
During his address, Justice Saminathan shared a personal experience from a case near Madurai in Dindigul district. He mentioned visiting a village called Korkai where farmers had filed a case against the establishment of a SIDCO complex. While government lawyers claimed it was barren land, Justice Saminathan found a one-kilometer-long bund, indicating it was a lake, contrary to the District Collector's statement.
Justice Saminathan highlighted a recent judgment that prohibits altering the nature of water bodies such as lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. He stressed the importance of awareness and urged lawyers to stand firm in supporting such causes. The judge also mentioned his ruling that government officials should visit homes to assess and certify differently-abled children, rather than requiring families to bring the children to offices.
Shanmugaraj, the coordinator of the Bhim Rao Free Legal Aid and Counseling Center, explained the center's objectives. He stated that the primary aim is to provide justice to marginalized people, victims, women, and differently-abled individuals through free legal advice. The center plans to raise legal awareness among school children, women, and parents of differently-abled children.
Shanmugaraj added that the center would focus on establishing women's rights, child protection, and addressing caste-related issues. He acknowledged the existence of state and central government legal aid centers but noted that many people face long waits and sometimes file incorrect complaints there. The new center aims to streamline access to government legal aid and provide assistance through lawyers to those in need.
The Bhim Rao Legal Aid and Counseling Center will also help prepare people to approach government legal aid centers effectively, ensuring better access to justice for all sections of society.