Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday said his government was committed to ensuring justice for every citizen and stressed that access to justice was the foundation of good governance.

Addressing the West Zone Regional Conference on ‘Enhancing Access to Justice’ at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, CM Dr Yadav said the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was playing an important role in strengthening India’s legal tradition and making justice more accessible.

“Justice, liberty and fraternity are the foundation of democracy,” he said, highlighting mediation as an effective way of resolving minor disputes and addressing the serious issue of case pendency.

Technology and reforms to make justice accessible

CM Dr Yadav said India was witnessing a “golden period of transformation” under Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, with several colonial-era laws being replaced and judicial processes becoming simpler and more accessible.

He pointed to e-filing, virtual hearings, digital data management and modern judicial administration as key technological developments. He also said Madhya Pradesh had established four fast-track courts in Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur to deal swiftly with cases involving paper leaks and fraud.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s move towards a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying the related Bill had been passed by the Assembly based on recommendations of a committee headed by former judge Ranjana Desai.

Justice must reach the last person

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant said “empowered future, dignity and inclusion” were not merely expressions but the real definition of legal aid.

Recalling the legacy of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, he said she believed justice must be equal for everyone and regularly interacted directly with citizens, farmers and widows to address their grievances.

CJI Kant stressed that access to justice could not be ensured through laws alone and required sustained dialogue. He said every victim must first feel that someone was listening to their suffering before any effort was made to resolve the problem.

He also underlined the importance of tailoring legal assistance to local needs, citing tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, fishing communities in Goa, migrant workers in Gujarat and women in Mumbai as examples of groups requiring different approaches.

Mediation, inclusion and legal aid

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal said justice should not remain confined to courts but must reach every section of society. He described justice as both an equal opportunity and a matter of trust, while stressing the constitutional commitment to free legal aid under Article 39A.

Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath said the launch of NALSA’s education scheme in Indian Sign Language and legal guides in Braille would help make legal services more inclusive. He also highlighted a new certificate course on mediation aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual agreement.

Justice Manmohan said mediation could become one of the most effective mechanisms for reducing disputes, while stressing that everyone should have easy and dignified access to justice.

The conference also saw the launch of the ‘Justice to Children’ Litigation Fellowship Programme, the NALSA theme song in Indian Sign Language, and several legal-service publications, including Justice for All and a Braille guide.