NEW DELH: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday recognised the Supreme Court‘s invaluable contribution as a “vigilant sentinel” of the judicial system of the world’s largest democracy, but noted that a lot remains to be done especially when to comes to pendency and backlog of cases
Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the SC, the President said: “Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court.In the 75 years since its establishment, the Supreme Court has organised many programs that have increased people’s trust and attachment towards our judicial system.”
“The feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of our tradition. People consider every judge in the country as God. Every judge and judicial officer of our country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth and justice. At the district level, this moral responsibility is the lighthouse of the judiciary. The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary,” said the President, who also unveiled the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court on the occasion.
While noting that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level, the President highlighted that pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary.
She stressed the need to ponder upon the serious issue of cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years.
The President emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently, which will help in tackling the pendency of cases.
The President further said there are many challenges before our judiciary which will require coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to resolve them. “For example, the judiciary, government and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses,” she said.
The President said that when court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. She stated that it is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes. Those who suffer from their crimes live in fear as if those poor people have committed some crime, she added.
The President further said that the poor people from villages are afraid to go to court. “They become a participant in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion. Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure. In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation,” the President added.
The President also noted that the SC has ordered the implementation of the provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita with retrospective effect. Under this, there is a provision to release first-time accused and those who have served one-third of the prescribed maximum imprisonment period, on bail. She expressed confidence that by implementing the new system of criminal justice with this promptness, the judiciary will usher in a “new era of justice”.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the SC, the President said: “Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court.In the 75 years since its establishment, the Supreme Court has organised many programs that have increased people’s trust and attachment towards our judicial system.”
“The feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of our tradition. People consider every judge in the country as God. Every judge and judicial officer of our country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth and justice. At the district level, this moral responsibility is the lighthouse of the judiciary. The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary,” said the President, who also unveiled the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court on the occasion.
While noting that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level, the President highlighted that pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary.
She stressed the need to ponder upon the serious issue of cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years.
The President emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently, which will help in tackling the pendency of cases.
The President further said there are many challenges before our judiciary which will require coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to resolve them. “For example, the judiciary, government and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses,” she said.
The President said that when court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. She stated that it is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes. Those who suffer from their crimes live in fear as if those poor people have committed some crime, she added.
The President further said that the poor people from villages are afraid to go to court. “They become a participant in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion. Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure. In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation,” the President added.
The President also noted that the SC has ordered the implementation of the provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita with retrospective effect. Under this, there is a provision to release first-time accused and those who have served one-third of the prescribed maximum imprisonment period, on bail. She expressed confidence that by implementing the new system of criminal justice with this promptness, the judiciary will usher in a “new era of justice”.
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