Loading article...
The Thanjavur District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has appointed seven panel lawyers to provide legal assistance in bonded labour and human trafficking cases, marking the largest number of such appointments in a single district in Tamil Nadu. The appointments were made following a directive from the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (TNSLSA) to expedite prosecutions and strengthen legal support for survivors. The initiative stems from the establishment of the One-Stop Crisis Team (OSCT) by TNSLSA to combat labour, sex, and organ trafficking across the state. Over the past few years, approximately 25 cases have been recorded in the Delta region, prompting the need for dedicated legal representation. Panel lawyers have already been appointed in Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Theni, and Sivagangai. The seven lawyers in Thanjavur were selected based on their specialized training from the International Justice Mission, a non-governmental organization involved in supporting the OSCT. They will assist public prosecutors and special public prosecutors in court proceedings, particularly in helping survivors navigate legal processes and provide coherent testimonies. Advocate V. Natarajan, who has represented bonded labour survivors, emphasized the importance of trained legal personnel, noting that many survivors are uneducated and vulnerable, requiring support during depositions. The TNSLSA directed all district authorities to appoint panel lawyers wherever legal aid is sought in pending cases. The court proceedings in the pending bonded labour cases will continue with the support of the newly appointed panel lawyers, while the OSCT and DLSA monitor the implementation of legal assistance across districts.