Rajouri Hosts India’s First Lok Adalat for Ex-Servicemen, War Widows

SRINAGAR: To deliver justice to veterans and their families, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Rajouri, in collaboration with the Zila Sainik Welfare Department, organised the country’s first-ever Lok Adalat exclusively dedicated to the welfare of ex-servicemen and war widows.

The special Lok Adalat was held at the Sainik Welfare Office premises under the leadership of Ms. Shama Sharma, Chairperson, DLSA Rajouri, and with the support of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The event marked a significant step in ensuring access to justice for a community often burdened with unresolved legal issues related to pensions, land, family disputes, and service-related benefits.

A team of five lawyers deputed by DLSA offered free legal consultation and case assessments to more than 60 ex-servicemen and Veer Naris (war widows) who attended the session. The legal team gathered detailed case data on pending civil matters, promising to pursue fast-tracked hearings and continuous legal aid to resolve longstanding grievances.

“This is a commendable and much-needed move,” said Colonel Jaweed Ahmad Mir, Sena Medal, Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO) Rajouri. “We remain committed to extending full cooperation to the legal services authorities at both district and state levels.”

Col. Mir expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Sharma and the judiciary for what he called “a meaningful and timely intervention for the welfare of veterans and their families.”

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Shama Sharma reiterated DLSA’s commitment to inclusive legal outreach. “This Lok Adalat is not just a legal event but a tribute to the sacrifice and service of our defence community. Our aim is to deliver justice swiftly and respectfully,” she said.

The event is being hailed as a pioneering model for legal outreach in India, especially for marginalised or underserved communities. With this first-of-its-kind veteran-focused Lok Adalat, Rajouri district has set a precedent for institutionalising legal aid for armed forces personnel, potentially inspiring similar initiatives across the country.

Officials from the Zila Sainik Welfare Department, legal services functionaries, and community representatives all hailed the event as a successful example of civil-military cooperation aimed at ensuring dignity, respect, and justice for India’s veteran population.