Today, the Delhi High Court, in a first of its kind initiative, launched a helpline number for easy access to justice.

The helpline number ‘1888’ has been made functional after being allotted by the Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Speaking about the uniqueness of the number, the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court said,

“We wanted a number which could easily register in the minds of the citizens.”

The helpline is aimed at providing multifunctional information dispensation facilities including information about listing and filing of cases, legal aid and arbitration along with other functional facilities for litigants and advocates.

Initially, the helpline is proposed to be used for providing wheelchair assistance to differently abled persons. The caller shall make a call on the helpline and the designated officer who shall receive the call will note down the requirement and shall respond through telephone or SMS. He shall simultaneously make the arrangement at the ground to receive the person at the gate of the High Court.

Currently, the helpline is only available for Airtel users. However, coordination with other telephone operators is underway for establishing connectivity of the helpline through their networks.

Speaking at the launch of the helpline, Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal said,

“Access to justice is a fundamental right. However before reaching the court, the litigants face many barriers. This helpline would reduce these barriers and increase access to justice.”

Justice Sanjeev Khanna commented,

“Court is itself a helpline for the citizens. Now we have a helpline to approach that helpline.”

President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association Kirti Uppal demonstrated the functioning of the helpline. He asked for a wheelchair and got a confirmation through an SMS within 15 seconds.

This is the first time that such a helpline has been launched by any High Court in the country.

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