Justice must extend beyond verdict to rehabilitation of child: MoS Meghwal
Hyderabad, Oct 3 (TNT): Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday said justice for children should not end with a court judgment but must extend to counselling, healthcare, continuity of education, victim compensation and secure rehabilitation.
Addressing the National Legal Services Authority’s South Zone Regional Conference on ‘Justice for Children in Cyberspace’ here, Meghwal said the trauma-informed, gender-responsive and disability-sensitive approach under NALSA’s Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children Scheme, operational since 2024, recognised the need to place the best interests of the child at the centre of the justice process.
He stressed the need for regular follow-up among the Child Welfare Committee, families and support institutions to ensure effective rehabilitation of children.
Meghwal said NALSA, along with State, District and Taluka Legal Services Institutions, was implementing the initiative on the ground, with panel lawyers, Legal Aid Defence Counsels and para-legal volunteers serving as frontline links in providing assistance.
He commended NALSA for extending legal assistance to women, children, persons from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, persons with disabilities and other eligible beneficiaries.
While referring to Telangana, the Union Minister said 50,318 persons benefited from legal aid services between 2023-24 and 2025-26, while 14,386 legal awareness camps and programmes were organised during the period.
He also said that up to March 2026, National Lok Adalats had recorded the disposal of 2.77 crore cases.
Meghwal expressed confidence that the two-day conference would result in practical recommendations on local-language awareness material, clear referral mechanisms, regular capacity building and rehabilitation follow-up.
He called for greater cooperation among the judiciary, government and concerned departments in discharging their constitutional responsibility towards children.
Referring to initiatives launched at the conference, Meghwal described the ‘Nyaya Ratham – Justice at the Doorstep’ mobile Lok Adalat van and the scheme for legal aid, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of bonded labourers as commendable steps towards taking legal assistance to those in need.
Concluding his address, he said justice should not merely be available but also accessible and easily understandable, while the justice system should not merely be capable but deeply sensitive.
He called for a collective commitment to ensuring that every child receives legal protection, support and an opportunity to progress.
TNT TS
