Convicts can choose senior advocates for legal aid at SC: Justice Surya Kant

New Delhi, Apr 9: Convicts in India who cannot afford legal representation will soon have the option to be represented by senior advocates before the Supreme Court, Justice Surya Kant recently announced, as reported by Bar & Bench. Speaking at the 24th Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta, Justice Kant said that the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) has identified over 4,200 convicts in need of legal assistance—either for filing appeals before the top court or for securing bail.“In the next one month, before I demit the office of the Legal Services Committee, all these persons will be provided free legal aid,” he said. “We have decided to circulate a panel of all leading senior advocates of the Supreme Court who are kind enough to render pro bono services, leaving it to the choice of the convict whom he wants to engage. This new experiment we will introduce and implement within one month.”

Justice Kant made remarks during a session on the theme ‘Democrats and Despots – Does Consensus Work?’ He noted that while authoritarian systems are often seen as incompatible with democratic ideals, both forms of governance can work together to address common global challenges. “Global health, climate change, counterterrorism, trade agreements, and arms control are areas where both democrats and despots have a shared interest. By focusing on these challenges, a mutually agreeable framework can be evolved.

The global community must play a pivotal role in facilitating this dialogue,” he said. He further suggested that nations with histories of both democratic and authoritarian governance could serve as bridges for fostering global dialogue.

Institutions like the Commonwealth, he added, could help in creating an environment conducive to understanding and consensus-building. Highlighting the role of the Indian judiciary, Justice Kant said it has long contributed to shaping the nation’s moral and ethical framework through judgements based on deliberation and consensus. “Indian courts do not just interpret the law as a cold command, but as a living document of justice. The Constitution is not a fossilized parchment but a dynamic expression of the people’s collective aspirations,” he said.