CM Omar Abdullah Advocates for Strengthening Tele-Law to Reduce Court Pendency and Ensure Timely Justice

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for a robust expansion of technology-driven legal services to bridge the justice gap in rural areas and alleviate the mounting pressure on the judiciary.

Addressing a regional workshop on the Tele-Law initiative at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the Chief Minister emphasized that “justice delayed is justice denied,” noting that resolving disputes through mediation and legal advice before they reach the litigation stage is essential for a functional legal system.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Law & Justice under the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme, saw participation from Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Justice Arun Palli, highlighting a unified effort to integrate pro-bono legal support with digital infrastructure.

During his keynote, Chief Minister Abdullah highlighted the transformative growth of Tele-Law in Jammu & Kashmir, noting its expansion from just two districts to all 20 districts, covering over 4,000 panchayats and facilitating more than 7.5 lakh legal consultations.

He stressed that while urban residents have easier access to legal counsel, those in remote regions often remain unaware of their rights. By utilizing Common Service Centres (CSCs), the Tele-Law scheme acts as a vital link, providing affordable and efficient legal remedies to underserved populations.

The Chief Minister urged stakeholders to adopt global best practices and strengthen the network of pro-bono lawyers to ensure that only essential judicial hearings reach the courts, thereby systematically reducing the massive backlog of pending cases.