AI SummaryHaryana government's Legal Aid to Scheduled Castes and Vimukat Jatis Scheme is open for applications in 2026 for eligible SC and Vimukat Jatis families across the state. Under this scheme, you can get up to ₹22,000 as advocate fees to fight or file civil and criminal cases in court. If your case needs more money, the Deputy Commissioner can approve extra amount as per rates in the Law Manual.
Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Department, Haryana runs this scheme on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Government of India. It has been running since 13th February 1961 and is still one of the main legal support schemes for SC and Vimukat Jatis families in Haryana. Applications are accepted online through the Antyodaya SARAL portal at saralharyana.gov.in. If you belong to SC or Vimukat Jatis in Haryana and are stuck in a court matter, this scheme can support your legal costs.
Legal Aid to Scheduled Castes and Vimukat Jatis Scheme 2026
This is one of the oldest welfare schemes in Haryana. It supports poor SC and Vimukat Jatis families who cannot pay advocate fees on their own. Instead of forcing them to give up on a case due to money problems, the state pays the legal cost so they can defend their rights properly in court.
Scheme covers a wide set of court matters. This includes criminal cases from private complaints, security proceedings under Chapter VIII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, land or immovable property eviction disputes, recovery of rent by landlords, Khasra Girdawari corrections, disputes over rent deposit with Revenue Officer, claims about rights of way, and forced removal of dung heaps. It also covers compensation claims where a person faced untouchability, was denied drinking water, or was stopped from entering temples or hostels. Cases about Siri, Sanjhies or Seepidars sharing farm produce, damage claims by husbands, parents or guardians of women or girls who were abducted or enticed away under the Law of Torts, and reservation-in-service cases filed by SC or Vimukat Jatis employees are all covered.
Before getting the aid, you sign a written agreement with the department. This agreement says that if you win the case and recover any money, damages or costs from the other party, you will pay back the legal aid amount to the government from that recovery. Anything left after this stays with you. This keeps the scheme running for more families in need.
Benefits of Legal Aid Scheme
Main benefit is direct help with advocate fees. District Welfare Officer can sanction bills up to ₹22,000. If the case is bigger and needs more, Deputy Commissioner has the power to approve extra fees at rates fixed in the Law Manual. Payment is made after approval and moves through the department's regular process. This support removes money problems from the picture and lets you focus on the case itself.
Highlights of Haryana Legal Aid Scheme
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Legal Aid to Scheduled Castes and Vimukat Jatis |
| Launched By | Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Department, Haryana |
| Launch Date | 13th February 1961 |
| Cost Sharing | 50:50 between Government of India and State Government |
| Eligible People | SC and Vimukat Jatis families of Haryana |
| Benefit Amount | Up to ₹22,000 (more can be approved by Deputy Commissioner) |
| Application Mode | Online through Antyodaya SARAL portal |
| Official Website | saralharyana.gov.in |
| Helpline | 0172-3968400 (7 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Saturday) |
Who Can Apply for Legal Aid
Eligibility rules for this scheme are simple. Before you apply, check these two basic points about your background.
- You should be a permanent resident of Haryana state, backed by a Haryana Resident Certificate.
- You should belong to the Scheduled Caste or Vimukat Jatis community as listed by the Haryana government, backed by a valid Caste Certificate.
For example, if Ramesh from Rohtak is a permanent Haryana resident and belongs to a listed Scheduled Caste, and he is stuck in a land dispute in the local court, he can apply for legal aid under this scheme and get up to ₹22,000 for his advocate fees.
How to Apply Online on SARAL Portal
Application for this legal aid is fully online through the Antyodaya SARAL portal. New users need to register once, and then log in to apply for the service. Steps for both parts are given below.
STEP 1 - Open your browser and go to the Antyodaya SARAL portal at saralharyana.gov.in. If you already have a SARAL login, jump directly to STEP 3.
STEP 2 - Click on 'New User? Register Here' and fill in your name, email ID, mobile number, state and a password. Submit the form. You will get your login ID and confirmation on your mobile number.
STEP 3 - Log in to the portal using your registered email ID and password.
STEP 4 - Go to the 'Apply for Services' section on the dashboard and click on 'View all Available Services'.
STEP 5 - Type 'Legal Aid' in the search box and pick 'Legal Aid to Scheduled Castes and Vimukat Jatis' from the Welfare of SC and BC Department list.
STEP 6 - Fill the online application form with your personal details, caste details, case details and advocate fee information. Upload scanned copies of the required documents and submit the form. Note down the reference number shown at the end for future tracking.
How to Check Application Status
Once your application is submitted, you can track its progress on the SARAL tracking page at status.saralharyana.nic.in. Pick the department name, service name, enter your reference or application ID and click on 'Check Status'. Current stage of your file will be shown on the screen.
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready in scanned format before you start the online form on SARAL portal. Missing any of these can delay approval of your legal aid file.
- Valid identity proof such as Aadhaar Card or Voter ID Card
- Family Ration Card copy
- Haryana Resident Certificate (Domicile)
- Caste Certificate showing SC or Vimukat Jatis category
- Bank passbook copy for DBT payment of the aid amount
- Copy of the FIR in case the matter is a criminal complaint
- Certificate of advocate fee payment or the advocate's fee bill
Helpline and Contact Details
If you face any problem during registration, online application or status tracking, you can call the Antyodaya SARAL helpline at 0172-3968400 between 7 AM and 8 PM from Monday to Saturday. For scheme-specific questions, visit your District Welfare Officer's office or the Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes, Haryana. Official pages for reference are given below.
FAQ's
What is the maximum legal aid amount under this Haryana scheme?
District Welfare Officer can sanction advocate fees up to ₹22,000. If the case needs more, Deputy Commissioner can approve extra fees at Law Manual rates.
Who runs Legal Aid to SC and Vimukat Jatis Scheme?
Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Department, Government of Haryana runs the scheme. Cost is shared 50:50 with the Government of India.
Where can I apply for this legal aid in 2026?
Applications are open on the Antyodaya SARAL portal at saralharyana.gov.in. New users need to register on the portal once and can then apply online for the service.
Do I need to pay back the legal aid amount?
Yes, if you win. You sign an agreement before getting the aid. If you recover any money, damages or costs from the other party after winning the case, you pay back the aid amount from that recovery. Anything left after this is yours.
Can non-Haryana residents apply for this scheme?
No. Only permanent residents of Haryana who belong to SC or Vimukat Jatis communities of Haryana can apply and receive benefit under this scheme.
Which court cases are covered under this scheme?
Land eviction, rent recovery, Khasra Girdawari, rights of way, criminal cases from private complaints, untouchability-related damage claims, reservation-in-service cases filed by SC or Vimukat Jatis employees, and some other civil matters listed in the scheme rules.
What is the helpline number for SARAL portal support?
You can call 0172-3968400 between 7 AM and 8 PM from Monday to Saturday for help with SARAL portal registration, application or status tracking.