Aiming to make justice more accessible, the Union government has rolled out Nyaya Setu, a new WhatsApp-based legal assistance platform that offers free, preliminary guidance to citizens. Whether the issue involves property disputes, matrimonial conflicts, domestic violence, or civil and criminal matters, the service is designed to help people understand their rights and possible next steps before approaching court.
According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, Nyaya Setu has been developed under the broader “Ease of Justice” vision. The objective is to ensure that citizens do not have to struggle with complex portals or lengthy procedures simply to access basic legal information.
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How Nyaya Setu works on WhatsApp
To use the platform, users must send a message on WhatsApp to 7217711814 (Tele-Law). After a quick mobile verification, the chatbot becomes active and allows users to ask questions related to their issue.
The AI-enabled chatbot processes the query and responds in simple, easy-to-understand language. Depending on the context, it may also provide relevant details on applicable laws, government schemes, and support mechanisms available to the user.
The service operates 24×7, eliminating the need to physically visit a lawyer’s office or a Common Service Centre (CSC). For people living in remote and rural areas, this is expected to significantly reduce both dependency and delay.
Not legal advice — but better access
Legal experts emphasize that Nyaya Setu is not a substitute for lawyers. Instead, it acts as a first point of support — helping individuals identify the category of their case, understand what laws might apply, and assess the options ahead.
The platform is integrated with existing legal-aid networks such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu and Legal Services Authorities. Wherever personalized advice becomes necessary, users are connected to panel lawyers so they can receive professional consultation and plan their next steps.
Support for matrimonial and family matters
The government says Nyaya Setu also covers family and matrimonial disputes. Users can receive general information on divorce procedures, maintenance, custody rights, domestic violence protections, and other related issues.
However, activities like drafting case documents, filing petitions, or court representation will still require the services of a registered advocate. For that reason, officials describe Nyaya Setu as a “first step” — a platform that helps individuals understand their situation before committing time and resources to litigation.
What citizens stand to gain
- Clear explanations instead of complicated legal jargon
- Savings in time, travel and consultation expenses at the initial stage
- Better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a case
- Easier access to government welfare schemes and free legal aid
- Additional support for rural and economically weaker sections
Important to remember
Responses provided through Nyaya Setu do not amount to formal legal opinion. Every case is context-specific, and crucial legal decisions should always be made after consulting a qualified lawyer.
Even so, policymakers believe the initiative could play a major role in widening access to justice — especially for people who remain unaware of their rights or hesitate to approach the legal system due to cost, distance or fear of procedure.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
