Lucknow | The Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (UPSLSA) organized an awareness programme on “Removing Barriers to Reproductive Autonomy through Legal Aid” at the Judicial Training and Research Institute (JTRI), Lucknow, in the esteemed presence of dignitaries from the Supreme Court of India and the Allahabad High Court.
The programme was inaugurated by Justice Surya Kant, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Justice Vikram Nath, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Chairman, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, graced the occasion with his presence.
The ceremony was held under the guidance of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court, and Patron-in-Chief, UPSLSA, along with Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Senior Judge and Executive Chairman, UPSLSA; Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi, Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee, Allahabad; and Justice Rajan Roy, Chairman, High Court Legal Services Sub-Committee, Lucknow Bench. Justice D.K. Upadhyay, Chief Justice, Delhi High Court, also attended the event as a special guest.
In his keynote address, Justice Surya Kant emphasized that “women, irrespective of circumstances, deserve full assurance that the justice delivery system will stand firmly with them.” He lauded UPSLSA’s achievements and congratulated the authority on launching its AI-based chatbot ‘Nyay Marg’, aimed at bridging the gap between beneficiaries and entitlements through technology and awareness. Justice Surya Kant also recalled the constitutional duty enshrined in Article 39A of the Indian Constitution to provide free legal aid to citizens.
Justice Vikram Nath, in his address, welcomed all participants and quoted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s famous words: “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” He praised the initiative “Sankalp,” the awareness campaign focused on addressing reproductive autonomy through legal support.
Chief Justice Arun Bhansali highlighted the importance of the awareness drive and the ‘Nyay Marg’ chatbot, describing them as milestones toward inclusive justice and accessibility.
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta welcomed the dignitaries and outlined the structure of the awareness programme. He underscored the need to make legal aid more accessible for the marginalized by expanding digital outreach and enhancing assistance for the poor and needy.
Expressing deep concern for rape survivors, especially minors, Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi noted that such victims face not only sexual violence but also the trauma of unwanted pregnancies, social stigma, emotional distress, and procedural hurdles. He stressed that true justice lies not only in verdicts but in the compassion extended to those who approach the system in vulnerability.
Justice Rajan Roy of the Lucknow Bench delivered the formal vote of thanks for the inaugural session.
The technical session, chaired by Justice Ajay Bhanot, Judge, Allahabad High Court, and Chairperson, High Court Juvenile Justice Committee, featured expert discussions from leading professionals in psychiatry (NIMHANS), law enforcement, public health (NHM), women’s rights advocacy (AALI), and maternal health services (Vatsalya). Topics included psychological support for victims of forced motherhood, inter-agency coordination among police, doctors, and courts, and the medical and legal implications of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
Panelists explored critical issues related to reproductive autonomy, access to safe medical abortion, psychosocial support for survivors, and the need for institutional coordination. Interactive discussions focused on strengthening legal aid, ensuring timely medical care, and addressing the procedural and societal barriers faced by women and children in distress.
On the same occasion, Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the newly constructed “Spandan Auditorium” at the UPSLSA office in Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow. The state-of-the-art facility will host training programmes, conferences, and public legal awareness events to enhance access to justice.
Delivering the concluding vote of thanks, Dr. (Mrs.) Manu Kalia, Member Secretary, UPSLSA, expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, experts, officers, legal aid functionaries, and participants for supporting the mission of inclusive and compassionate legal services across Uttar Pradesh.
