Law ministry opens legal aid helpline

The law ministry has opened a national helpline -- 16430 -- to provide legal aid to the poor, especially the labourers, without any cost during the ongoing crisis.

The ministry is providing the service through its National Legal Aid and Services Organisation (NLASO) and its district legal aid offices across the country.

Masuda Yeasmin, assistant director of NLASO, told The Daily Star yesterday that the toll-free number is open 24 hours a day. Anybody can call to get legal advice from NLASO any time during the current coronavirus outbreak free of charge, she said.

Replying to a question, Masuda said several helpless people from across the country communicate with the NLASO office through the helpline everyday and the office gives them legal support and solve their problems either through the district legal aid office or over phone.

Law Minister Anisul Huq is looking over the helpline activities, and also giving necessary directives to the offices concerned in order to ensure the legal aid, she added.