Free legal cell in Bangalore

In order to help the physically and mentally challenged people with legal problems and provide them with legal consultation, the Commissionerate for Disabilities has started a Free Legal Cell in Bangalore.

The cell, to be run in collaboration with Alternative Law Forum, a group of advocates, will periodically conduct adalats and grievance meetings, during which legal experts will offer consultation ad other services to the disabled people under one roof as stated by the Commissioner for Disabilities Meera C Saxena. The cell will also guide the disabled people about legal aid services available.

However, the special focus of the cell will be on the disabled women who are victims of various social evils. At present, the facility will be available only in Bangalore and it will soon be extended to district and taluk headquarters as soon as the Commissionerate is able to find advocates and legal practitioners who would be willing to provide voluntary services to the cell.

The Cell is part of the Commissionerate's initiative to help the disabled community in accessing public utility services without much difficulty. Ms Saxena has also said that initially the cell will offer services once a week on every Saturday between 2 pm and 5 pm at the office of Commissioner for Disabled, No 40, Thambuchetty Road, Cox Twon, Bangalore-560005. The cell especially calls upon the needy to avail the services by calling up the Commissioner's office between 11 am and 4 pm on all working days on 080-5482641/5482639.

Source: Legal cell for mentally, physically challenged; Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 12 May 2001