Justice in India: Cost, language, and distance keep millions unheard

Justice in India remains unequal as cost, language, and distance exclude millions - but reforms in legal aid, technology, and regional languages can make the system more inclusive

Justice in India is meant to be equal for all, but in reality, economic and linguistic barriers still lock out a large section of citizens. Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, in a recent lecture, underlined how geographical, economic, and linguistic barriers continued to exclude the poor and marginalised from courts and legal education. In rural and remote areas, the nearest court may be hours away. For those who do reach the system, the burden of cost and language often makes justice inaccessible. Research shows how just access to information can change this picture. A 2024 paper published by