NEW DELHI (Friday, March 6, 2026) — A recent Right to Information (RTI) query has exposed a significant gap in the implementation of legal aid in the national capital. Despite a Supreme Court mandate, only 50 out of 194 police stations in Delhi currently have Paralegal Volunteers (PLVs) stationed to assist victims. Even more concerning is the data showing that only one victim of a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case received PLV assistance in all of 2025.
The Gap in Legal Support Infrastructure
The data, provided by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA), highlights a stark disparity between the required legal support and the reality on the ground.
- Limited Coverage: Only about 25% of Delhi’s police stations are equipped with PLVs. These volunteers are intended to work in three shifts of eight hours each to ensure round-the-clock availability, but this is restricted to just 50 stations.
- The POCSO Failure: In 2025, only a single case in the Southwest district involved the assignment of a PLV to assist a minor victim. This suggests that the vast majority of children navigating the police system for sexual assault cases did so without the mandated support of a legal volunteer.
Why Paralegal Volunteers (PLVs) are Critical
PLVs serve as a bridge between the police and the public, particularly for vulnerable groups like women and children. Their presence is mandated by the Supreme Court to:
- Ensure Fair Treatment: Prevent the intimidation of victims during the filing of an FIR.
- Provide Legal Literacy: Explain the victim’s rights and the legal procedures involved in a case.
- Facilitate Compensation: Assist victims in applying for interim compensation under various state and central schemes.
- Emotional Support: Act as a “neutral” presence in a high-stress police environment.
District-Wise Breakdown of Assistance (2025)
The RTI response from various District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) shows near-zero utilization of PLVs for specialized cases:
| District | Total Police Stations | Stations with PLVs | POCSO Victims Assisted (2025) |
| Southwest | 12 | 4 | 1 |
| North | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| East | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| West | 17 | 5 | 0 |
| New Delhi | 9 | 2 | 0 |
Legal Implications and “Bachpan Bachao Andolan” Guidelines
The Supreme Court, in the Bachpan Bachao Andolan vs. Union of India case, issued clear guidelines stating that a PLV should be present at the police station to assist a child or their parents from the moment a POCSO case is reported.
Saumya Shukla, the researcher who filed the RTI, noted that the lack of PLVs effectively denies victims their “Right to Legal Aid” as guaranteed under Article 39A of the Constitution. Without these volunteers, victims are often left at the mercy of police personnel who may not be adequately trained in the sensitive handling of child sexual abuse cases.
Sources
- RTI Response: Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA/RTI/2026/442) – March 2026
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Only 50 of Delhi’s 194 police stations have paralegal volunteers” (March 6, 2026)
- The Hindu: “RTI reveals dismal state of legal aid for POCSO victims in Delhi” (March 6, 2026)
- Supreme Court of India: Bachpan Bachao Andolan vs. Union of India (2014) – Landmark Guidelines on PLVs.
- NDTV: “Shocking RTI Data: Only 1 POCSO victim got paralegal help in Delhi in 2025” (March 6, 2026)