CJI Surya Kant: “Law Must Travel to Soldiers” at Leh Military Camp

In a historic first, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant addressed armed forces personnel at the Leh military camp in Ladakh, highlighting the importance of ensuring legal access for soldiers stationed in remote and operationally sensitive areas. Speaking to the gathering, he underscored that “the law must travel to the soldier, because the soldier cannot always travel to the law.”

Justice Surya Kant noted that soldiers face unique legal and personal challenges while serving in distant, high-altitude terrains, making it difficult for them to access courts and legal services. He contrasted this with civilians in urban areas, who have easy access to lawyers and courts, stressing that soldiers cannot leave their duties to manage disputes or litigation back home.

Framing the issue as a constitutional mandate rather than a matter of charity, the Chief Justice referred to Article 39A of the Constitution, stating that legal aid is a commitment to ensure justice is accessible regardless of wealth, geography, or social standing. He emphasised that the judiciary’s responsibility extends to defence personnel and their families.

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Justice Surya Kant highlighted the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, launched last year under his tenure as Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority, which provides free legal aid and support services to serving personnel, ex-servicemen, their dependents, and members of paramilitary forces. As of December 31, 2025, the scheme had assisted nearly 14,929 beneficiaries through a network of 438 legal services clinics nationwide, supported by more than 1,100 legal aid personnel, including 378 from defence backgrounds.

The Chief Justice outlined the range of legal issues addressed under the programme, including property disputes, pension and welfare entitlements, matrimonial matters, school admissions, and claims by senior citizen parents of defence personnel. He also emphasised that the work of the judiciary and the armed forces, though different in nature, is united in purpose, noting that liberty, dignity, and justice are sustained by the vigilance and sacrifice of soldiers.

Concluding his address, Justice Surya Kant assured the armed forces that while they guard the nation’s frontiers, national institutions have a duty to safeguard their rights and interests. “For your courage, for your restraint, for your endurance in these heights, and for the quiet fidelity with which you serve the nation every day, we, the Indian judiciary, offer you our unshakeable reverence and vow to make Justice reach your doorstep,” he said.

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