MASLSA holds orientation programme for LADCS personnel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 25 2025: The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) has successfully conducted an Orientation cum Training Programme for personnel serving under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) across all districts of the State at the Conference Hall, ADR building, Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal.

As per a release issued by MASLSA, the programme was held in the presence of Justice A Bimol Singh, Executive Chairman, MASLSA; Alek Muivah, Member Secretary, MASLSA; Chairpersons/Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Judicial Officers.

LADCS personnel from across the State participated in the training programme.

Addressing the gathering, Justice A Bimol congratulated the newly appointed LADCS personnel from the hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tamenglong, and emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the Legal Aid Defense Counsel Scheme, 2022, to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

He also emphasized that the LADCS must strive to ensure the delivery of justice to the voiceless, marginalized, and downtrodden individuals who are facing criminal charges or trials.

Alek Muivah highlighted key priorities for strengthening the LADCS and emphasized that building trust both institutionally and within the communities is central to ensuring that legal aid provided under the Scheme is substantive and not merely symbolic.

He also directed LADCS teams to actively carry out additional duties such as jail visits, police station visits, and other responsibilities beyond routine trial and remand work.

To enhance accountability, he stated that a multi-tier appraisal mechanism comprising selfevaluation by LADCs, feedback from presiding judges, and periodic assessment by DLSA Chairpersons, compiled at the SLSA level would be developed, along with beneficiary monitoring by DLSA, MASLSA, and NALSA.

He informed that NALSA has engaged M/S Transrural Consulting Pvt Ltd to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the Scheme, and that such evaluations would guide the Finance Commission's decision on its continuation, which will depend primarily on the performance of each LADC.

For the hill districts with fewer assigned cases, he encouraged LADCs to actively undertake legal awareness programmes and assist in implementing NALSA Schemes, alongside their regular visits to police stations and jails.

Alek Muivah further mentioned that office infrastructure, including furniture and computer peripherals, would soon be provided to the remaining hill districts.

Resource persons P Premchand Singh, Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel, Imphal West DLSA, delivered a session on the topics "Functions of LADCS Counsel under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel Scheme, 2022; Relationship with Legal Aid Seekers in Criminal Cases; and Focus on Speedy Trial" and I Bikramjit Singh, Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel, Imphal East DLSA, spoke on "Indian Criminal Justice System- Focus on Courtroom Behaviour and Challenges to the Defence System" .

The sessions were followed by an interactive discussion, providing a platform for participants to raise queries, share experiences, and offer suggestions to enhance operational efficiency under LADCS .

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