Section 21:
Conduct of cases in Gram Nyayalaya and legal aid to parties.
(1) For the purpose of
conducting criminal cases in the Gram Nyayalaya on behalf of the Government, the provisions of section
25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall apply.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), in a criminal proceeding before the Gram
Nyayalaya, the complainant may engage an advocate of his choice at his expense to present the case of
prosecution with the leave of the Gram Nyayalaya.
(3) The State Legal Services Authority, constituted under section 6 of the Legal Services Authorities
Act, 1987 (39 of 1987) shall prepare a panel of advocates and assign at least two of them to be attached to
each Gram Nyayalaya so that their services may be provided by the Gram Nyayalaya to the accused
unable to engage an advocate.