Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, has launched the first cohort of the ‘Vidhi Sarathi – Justice Connect Litigation Fellowship Program .’ This initiative has two key objectives: strengthening access to justice for disadvantaged and marginalized communities and encouraging the professional development of young practicing advocates, especially first-generation lawyers. The program aims to provide young lawyers with an opportunity to develop their litigation skills and professional capabilities while making meaningful contributions to pro bono legal services. The initiative is being implemented in five districts of Chhattisgarh—Bilaspur, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Durg, and Baloda Bazar. Its special focus is on providing legal assistance to communities that lack access to adequate legal aid and strengthening their access to the justice system at the grassroots level.
As part of this initiative, HNLU organized a two-day orientation program for selected litigation fellows on October 14th and 15th, 2026. In his address, Vice-Chancellor and Project Director, Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan, underlined the dual purpose of the fellowship. He stated that the initiative aims to strengthen access to justice for disadvantaged communities while also promoting the professional development of young lawyers, especially first-generation legal professionals. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to translate legal knowledge and professional expertise into meaningful public service. By promoting pro bono litigation and inculcating a sense of professional and social responsibility among young lawyers, the program will contribute to the socio-legal development of Chhattisgarh. He also underlined the program’s commitment to addressing gaps in access to effective legal representation and enabling young lawyers to serve marginalized communities while developing their litigation skills.
The orientation program began with a keynote address by Justice Gautam Bhaduri, former Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court and former Executive Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. Describing this initiative as a unique effort to bridge the gap between legal practice and social responsibility, Justice Bhaduri highlighted the importance of providing access to legal aid to the underprivileged sections of society. He stated that it is the crucial responsibility of advocates to ensure that economic and social barriers do not prevent individuals from seeking appropriate legal remedies. He encouraged the Fellows to discharge their professional duties with dedication, sensitivity, and a strong commitment to public service.
Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari, former judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, conducted a session on “Free Legal Aid and Access to Justice: Practical Aspects of Legal Drafting, Pleadings, and Advocacy .” The session discussed the practical requirements of litigation, including effective legal drafting, preparation of pleadings, courtroom advocacy, and professional responsibilities when representing litigants. Fellows were encouraged to develop a deep understanding of procedural requirements, carefully prepare cases, and adopt an ethical and client-centered approach to legal practice.
The program was also attended by Prof. (Dr.) Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Acting Registrar and Faculty-in-Charge of the project; Mr. Shubham Tomar, Prosecution Officer; Mr. Parth Tiwari, Deputy Secretary, Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority; Abhinav K. Shukla, Assistant Professor and Faculty-in-Charge; Mr. Nishant Jain, Program Manager; and Mr. Anant Pratap Singh, Fellowship Coordinator.
The sessions were interactive and practice-oriented. Fellows were given the opportunity to interact with experts from the bar, bench, legal services institutions, prosecution services, and legal academia. Discussions focused on the practical challenges of litigation, effective client representation, professional ethics, procedural preparation, and the importance of understanding the circumstances of litigants from marginalized communities. Resource persons shared their experiences and provided guidance on how to strengthen litigation practice while ensuring accessible legal services that are responsive, responsive, and sensitive to the needs of society.
The initiative also received significant institutional support from the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. This collaboration demonstrates the importance of collective efforts to strengthen access to justice and provide effective legal aid to underserved communities across the state. It also reinforces the program’s broader objective of combining legal expertise, institutional support, and community-centered legal services.
The first cohort consists of ten practicing advocates, with two fellows selected from each of five districts. Many of the selected advocates are first-generation legal professionals. This fellowship will provide them with an opportunity to strengthen their professional experience while also making direct contributions to the community. Each fellow will receive an honorarium of ₹22,000 per month during the eighteen-month fellowship period. The fellows will handle pro bono cases in the District and Sessions Courts and other courts. The program aims to reach approximately 1,000 beneficiaries in the designated districts during its duration.
Approximately 500 applications were received during the selection process. Ten Fellows were selected through a rigorous process involving a panel of former High Court judges and members of the bar, bench, and legal academia. This selection reflects the program’s commitment to identifying lawyers who possess both professional competence and a commitment to providing legal assistance to those facing barriers to access to justice.
With the launch of the first cohort, HNLU aims to strengthen the role of young advocates in community-focused legal practice and expand the scope of pro bono litigation in Chhattisgarh. The second cohort of the Vidhi Saarthi – Justice Connect Litigation Fellowship Program is expected to commence in November 2026. This will further the university’s efforts to provide sustainable legal assistance to underserved communities by combining legal education, professional development, and social impact.