2 days ago
Data gaps throttle disability inclusion in India's justice system, say experts
Bengaluru: Nearly a decade after the landmark Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act came into being, India's justice system remains largely inaccessible to persons with disabilities (PwDs) due to a glaring lack of data and implementation, according to a new report.
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The study by Pacta, a social sector law firm, lays bare the chronic data vacuum that undercuts any progress on inclusive justice. Titled "Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in India", the study examines four pillars of the justice system — police, prisons, judiciary, and legal aid — against four indicators: Accessible infrastructure, representation, service use, and systemic response. The result? An indictment of invisibility.
Experts at panel discussions pointed out that despite laws mandating inclusion, disability rights in the judiciary system remain largely unaddressed on the ground, with courts across the country — including in Karnataka — falling short on basic accessibility. Most court complexes lack proper ramps, lifts or accessible toilets, and there is no publicly available data on the status of such infrastructure. Reasonable accommodations like sign language interpreters or assistive devices are provided only in isolated instances, with no formal or consistent system to ensure access, experts said.
Jayna Kothari, founder, Centre for Law & Public Policy Research (CLPR) and HC advocate, said, "It's a huge uphill battle to make courts, judges and even lawyers understand that accessibility and reasonable accommodation are not favours or charitable acts — they are legal entitlements under the RPwD Act and the Constitution."
Experts pointed out that the judiciary lacks disability-disaggregated data, making it impossible to assess how many judges, court staff or litigants with disabilities are part of the system. Experts said inadequate sensitisation among judges, registry officials and lawyers, coupled with inaccessible digital platforms and absence of grievance mechanisms, continue to deny persons with disabilities equal access to justice.
Nivedita Krishna, founder of Pacta, said it was high time the govt introduced a clear, comprehensive policy that addressed these long-standing gaps.
