Previous Year Question
In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
Person with an annual income of less than ₹1,00,000
Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹2,00,000
Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹3,00,000
All Senior Citizens
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 4 only
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct. Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 makes a person whose annual income is below the prescribed limit eligible for free legal services. During the period relevant to the question, a person earning less than ₹1,00,000 annually fell within the income-based eligibility framework.
Statement 2 is correct. Under the relevant eligibility framework of the National Legal Services Authority, a transgender person with an annual income below ₹2,00,000 could receive free legal assistance.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Membership of the Other Backward Classes is not, by itself, a separate category providing automatic eligibility under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act. An OBC member may qualify under the prescribed income limit or another eligible category under Section 12. All OBC members earning below the amount stated in the question are not automatically covered merely because of their OBC status.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Every senior citizen is not automatically entitled to free legal services solely on the basis of age. A senior citizen may receive assistance if the person satisfies the prescribed income criterion or falls under another eligible category under the Act.
Section 12 also covers members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, victims of trafficking or begar, women and children, persons with disabilities, industrial workmen, persons in custody and persons whose income is below the prescribed limit.
Free legal services are not confined to providing an advocate. They may include payment of court fees and other legal expenses, preparation of documents, obtaining certified copies of orders, legal advice and preparation of appeals in eligible cases.