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Legal Aid Clinic
In a bid to provide a platform to inculcate the spirit of public service among the buddy lawyers, Xavier Law School (XLS) of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata inaugurated the Legal Aid Clinic on August 25, 2022. The clinic has been named as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic as an honour to the great Indian personality, who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution.
As a part of the social responsibility of professional legal education, the Legal Aid Clinic is available at XLS with the following objectives:
- Simulation through practical exposure
- Connecting law to the community at large. In its essence, LAC is of the students, by the students, for the students; with hand-holding facilities extended by members of the faculty
The Legal Aid Clinic aims to realize the end of making the right to free legal aid as promoted by the Constitution available to underprivileged sections of the local community in a meaningful manner, by undertaking legal literacy drives and offering free client counseling services through the Legal Aid Clinic of the School.
The Legal Aid Clinic seeks to provide a platform to inculcate students of XLS with the spirit of socially responsible lawyering, enabling them to learn law in action through the empowerment of the community at large. The Clinic undertakes the responsibilities of conducting the following activities:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic
The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata organised a Cyber Legal Awareness Programme on 28th February, 2026 to create awareness about rising cybercrimes and inform citizens about available legal remedies. The programme was conducted in two sessions at two primary schools at Kulberia village, with participation from members of the Centre for Social Outreach Program.
A week prior to the event, student volunteers distributed leaflets and personally invited community members to ensure wider participation. The session began with an introduction of the speakers, followed by an interactive address by Mr. Soumyajit Raha, Special Public Prosecutor CID West Bengal, who explained the risks of online data misuse, social media hacking, OTP scams, cyber bullying, and financial fraud. He emphasised responsible digital behaviour and the importance of parental supervision. Participants were also guided on reporting cybercrimes through local police stations or the official online portal and were informed about essential “Dos and Don’ts” for online safety.
Mr. Partha Sarathi Das, Retd. District ans Sessions Judge and Professor of Practice, Xavier Law School further explained the concept of free legal aid and the services provided through SLSA and DLSA, highlighting schemes for eligible persons, including women and children. Dr. Pratyusha Das, Professor-in-Charge, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic encouraged attendees to approach the Legal Aid Clinic for assistance and shared the necessary contact details. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks to the school authorities and organisers for their cooperation and support.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic collaborated with the Centre for Social Outreach Programme (CSOP) of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) conducted a Legal Aid Camp at Kulberia village on September 13, 2025.
The programme aimed to create legal awareness among the villagers and provide free legal aid to the inhabitants of the village.
The programme took place at the Kulberia Vivekananda Primary School. The event was conducted by Mr. Partha Sarathi Das, Retired District and Sessions Judge and presently, Professor of Practice and Dr. Pratyusha Das, Professor-in-charge of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic, both from Xavier Law School and Mr. Paritosh Majumdar, Deputy Director of CSOP and Anwayee Chatterjee, Coordinator of CSOP.
The meeting took place in the presence of Kongsho Biswas, Deputy Head (Upo-pradhan) of the Gram Panchayat, the Headmaster and other teachers of Kulberia Vivekananda Primary School, students, participants and others.
Students performed a leading role by enthusiastically providing services for the camp like visiting the families, distributing leaflets, informing the villagers by visiting the village several times before the programme, etc. Women are eligible for receiving legal aid unconditionally, while men may have to meet certain conditions for free legal representation.
Members of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic would visit the village and conduct legal aid camp on the second Saturday of each month at the same venue and provide free legal aid to the villagers.
Dr. Pratyusha Das
