Section 23 of THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987
servants.—The members including Member-Secretary or, as the case may be, Secretary of the Central Authority, the State Authority, the District Authorities, the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, High Court Legal Services Committees, Taluk Legal Services Committees and officers and other employees of such Authorities, Committees and the
2[members of the Lok Adalats or the persons constituting Permanent Lok Adalats] shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
↩1.Subs. by Act 59 of 1994, s. 17, for sections 23 and 24 (w.e.f. 29-10-1994),
↩2.Subs. by Act 37 of 2002, s. 5, for “members of the Lok Adalats” (w.e.f. 11-6-2002).
Summary
- All members, including the Member-Secretary or Secretary, of any legal services authority or committee are considered public servants.
- This status applies across all levels, including the National, State, District, Supreme Court, High Court, and Taluk legal services bodies.
- Officers and other employees working for these authorities and committees are also designated as public servants.
- Members who run Lok Adalats or people who make up the Permanent Lok Adalats hold the same public servant status.
- All of these individuals are deemed public servants under the definitions of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Are the employees of a Taluk Legal Services Committee considered public servants under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987?
Yes, under Section 23 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, officers and other employees of Taluk Legal Services Committees are deemed to be public servants.
2. Which specific penal code defines the term public servant for members of Lok Adalats under the 1987 Legal Services Act?
Section 23 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, states that they are deemed to be public servants within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
3. Do the members of a Permanent Lok Adalat have the status of public servants under the Legal Services Act?
Yes, under Section 23 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, persons constituting Permanent Lok Adalats are deemed to be public servants.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 23 of THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987, which of the following individuals is NOT explicitly deemed to be a public servant?
Q2.Under Section 23 of THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987, the members and staff of the legal services bodies are deemed to be public servants within the meaning of which law?
Q3.Under Section 23 of THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987, who among the following is considered a public servant?
Q4.If a person is appointed to serve on a temporary Lok Adalat panel for a single day, what is their legal status under Section 23 of THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987?