In a welcome initiative, transgender and an acid attack victim sat as associate members of Delhi Lok Adalat’s District benches.

Neelmani Tiwari, a transgender and Kamar Jahan, an acid attack survivor sat at Delhi’s Lok Adalat thanks to Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Gita Mittal. This achievement adds another feather on her cap as she is known to undertake initiatives to make a more inclusive setting for everyone.

Lok Adalat

The National Lok Adalat, conducted by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority on Sunday saw Tiwari and Jahan assisted Presiding Officer Sushant Changotra and Judicial Officer Namrata Aggarwal to dispose of matters of civil nature under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

According to Live Law, Delhi State Legal Services Authority said: “The idea to include them in Lok Adalat benches is to ensure the empowerment of these sections of the society and to send the message that they can contribute equally in every sphere of national life.”

The Lok Adalats were held for all civil, criminal, motor accident claim tribunal matters which have an element of settlement in them.

Nearly 16,193 cases were disposed of about different legislation and pre-legislation amounting to Rs. 52 crores. The Lok Adalats organized in District Consumer Forums saw 123 cases getting settled and a settlement amount of Rs 1.76 crore. Both pre-litigation and pending cases were taken up.

A few months earlier

On September 2017, five acid attack survivors and a transgender secured jobs with the Delhi High Court when their plight was brought in the notice of Justice Gita Mittal by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA).

The familiar chord stringing them together was that they were all considered social outcasts. Their pursuit of a job mostly went unanswered as they were either not accepted because of gender or were considered handicap because of being an acid attack survivor.

Their Tale

Neelmani Tiwari, a transgender was more than delighted to part of Delhi’s Lok Adalat. Her story began when her family refused to acknowledge her gender, and she left her house to fend for herself. She now has a Masters in Social work and also works with an NGO called Basera. Even though she was qualified for a job, she would face discrimination for her identity.

Kamar Jahan had acid thrown at her by her husband, six months into their divorce. She tried her luck with reality shows but was overwhelmed when she got the job with the Delhi High Court.

The Logical Indian appreciates the move and hopes that other government institutions too, extend support to the discriminated and marginalised section of the society to help with their upliftment.