Bawana, April 26, 2025 — In a significant step toward promoting legal literacy and justice accessibility, Legal Partners and Associates, in partnership with the India Vision Foundation, successfully conducted a Legal Awareness Workshop at the India Vision Foundation Community Centre in Bawana. This impactful session was designed for a particularly underserved group—families of inmates, former inmates, and undertrial individuals, many of whom come from marginalized backgrounds and face educational and systemic disadvantages.
The justice system can often feel complex and intimidating, especially for those who lack access to information and resources. This workshop was envisioned as a bridge—to make the law approachable, understandable, and relevant for individuals who are frequently excluded from mainstream legal discourse. It focused on basic legal rights, how to access free legal aid, understanding interactions with lawyers and courts, and knowing what to do when faced with legal malpractice or misinformation.
The session was led by Mr. Neeraj Kumar Garg, Founding Partner of Legal Partners and Associates, whose decades of experience in litigation and pro bono legal advocacy added both authority and relatability to the event. He spoke candidly with attendees about their legal rights and the importance of asking the right questions when interacting with lawyers and legal authorities.
“A lawyer is your helper, not your god,” Mr. Garg stated during the session, emphasizing that every individual has the right to ask questions and seek clarity from legal representatives. Awareness is the first step toward justice.
He was supported by the dedicated Legal Partners and Associates team: Alsaba Ayyan, Bhavika Singh, Chandan Rai, and Kartik Gupta. Together, they created an inclusive and interactive learning environment where participants were encouraged to engage openly, share their experiences, and clarify long-held doubts.
The session, attended by over 80 participants, included:
Case-based scenario discussions to help people connect legal principles with real-life experiences.
A “Know Your Rights” quiz segment to make learning engaging.
A clear breakdown of free legal aid processes, including eligibility criteria and how to apply via DLSA/NALSA.
Guidance on how to recognize unethical practices by lawyers or officers, and how to file complaints through official channels.
An accessible explanation of BNSS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and its recent reforms, especially those impacting undertrial prisoners and bail procedures.
Throughout the session, attendees were invited to share their questions and observations. For many, this was their first opportunity to speak directly with legal professionals in a language and format they could understand.
This workshop would not have been possible without the remarkable coordination and support of the India Vision Foundation team. We extend our deepest gratitude to Ms. Monica Dhawan, Mr. Hussain Zaidi, Mannu Ma’am, Ms. Varsha, and all other IVF team members who facilitated the event and ensured active participation from the community.
From logistics and outreach to on-the-ground mobilization, the IVF team’s efforts helped us reach the people who needed this session the most. The Bawana Community Centre served as a welcoming and safe space for discussion, learning, and empowerment.
The success of this workshop reaffirms our belief that legal awareness is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Legal Partners and Associates remains committed to extending its outreach to those who often fall through the cracks of the justice system. We aim to continue such collaborations, ensuring that people know their rights, can demand accountability, and feel empowered to navigate legal challenges.
As part of our follow-up efforts, we will also be analysing the survey responses collected during the session to better understand the ground realities faced by these communities. These insights will guide the structure and content of future awareness programs.
Legal Partners and Associates thanks everyone who contributed to making this workshop a success and looks forward to conducting more such community-driven legal interventions in the near future.
