JAMMU: District Legal Services Authority(DLSA) Jammu, under the guidance of Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman DLSA) Ravinder Nath Watal and under the supervision of Civil Judge (Sr. Division) -Secretary DLSA) Maleeka Sharma, on Tuesday organized an Awareness-cum-Training Program for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) in the Conference Hall, District Court Complex.
The participants were sensitized to J&K Legal Services Authority (Para Legal Volunteers in Police Stations for Missing Children) Scheme, 2026.
The program was chaired by Secretary DLSA and Chairperson of the Core Committee constituted under the aforesaid Scheme Maleeka Sharma. Para Legal Volunteers of DLSA Jammu and Tehsil Legal Services Committees of Jammu, Bishnah, Akhnoor and R.S. Pura attended the program.
Addressing the participants, Secretary DLSA Maleeka Sharma encouraged the PLVs to act as an effective link between all stakeholder authorities dealing with missing children. She urged them to act promptly and handle every case with sincerity and diligence.
Advocate Deepali Arora and Advocate Mayank Gupta, (Members of the Core Committee) were the Resource Persons.
They imparted comprehensive insights to the PLVs regarding the provisions of the J&K Legal Services Authority (Para Legal Volunteers in Police Stations for Missing Children) Scheme-2026. They elaborated upon the constitutional mandate of providing free legal aid, the background and necessity of the Scheme, its objectives and the crucial role of Para Legal Volunteers in assisting the parents/guardians of missing children.
“The primary objective of the Scheme is to provide legal assistance to the parents or guardians of missing children in lodging FIRs/Missing Reports, filing the prescribed Missing Persons Information Form (Form ‘M’), facilitating coordination with the concerned authorities for tracing missing children and ensuring timely dissemination of information to all concerned agencies”, the Resource Persons informed. They further highlighted the responsibilities of PLVs in preparing hue and cry notices, guiding affected families and acting as a vital link between the police, legal services institutions and the public.
The session held detailed deliberation on various important legal aspects related to Child Rights, Juvenile Justice, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in cases of Missing Children, Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the Constitution of India, the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the role and responsibilities of Para Legal Volunteers and the Criminal Justice System.
