Free legal services are a crucial part of effective legal remedies, which are mentioned in a number of UN declarations. The Law Commission of India's 14th Report raised the possibility of the State giving the impoverished in India free legal representation. The national legal aid programme was established by the Union Government in 1960, but it was doomed to failure due to lack of funding. A committee was established by the Union Government in 1973 to create a legal aid programme for the states. With legal assistance committees in every district, state, and the centre, the Committee developed a decentralized strategy. The Constitution was amended in 1976 to add Article 39-A, which guarantees all citizens equal justice and free legal aid. Additionally, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, facilitated statutory implementation of free legal aid. A Committee on National Implementation of Legal Aid was constituted. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was subsequently passed by the Parliament.

Which section of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, provides that if the accused has not sufficient means to assign a pleader, the court should assign a pleader for his defense at the expense of the State?

Section 303 Section 304(1) Section 340 Section 310

Section 304(1)

Section 304(1) provides that: In a trial before the sessions judge, if the accused has not sufficient means to engage a pleader, the court should assign a pleader for his defense at the expense of the State.