The Struggle of Gram Nyayalayas: A Fight for Justice at the Grassroots Level
Conceived as a means to provide affordable and quick access to justice, ‘gram nyayalayas’ or village courts are facing challenges due to manpower shortages and financial constraints. According to the law ministry, out of 481 notified gram nyayalayas, only 309 are operational in 10 states.
The idea of village courts was first proposed by the law commission in 1986 to ensure justice at citizens’ doorsteps. The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 was enacted the following year on Gandhi Jayanti to establish these courts at the grassroots level.
However, the slow progress in setting up village courts is attributed to various factors like unfilled positions, lack of legal professionals, limited financial support, and overlapping jurisdictions with regular courts. Despite government funding, many states have their parallel systems of village courts.
The struggle of gram nyayalayas highlights the ongoing battle for justice at the grassroots level, where efforts are being made to overcome obstacles and fulfill the original vision of providing accessible justice to all.
Published on 11 August 2024, 11:40 IST