The prime minister said democracy held "little meaning for the common man" unless he or she is able to secure basic rights and gain easy access to speedy justice.
"The Indian legal and judicial system in some sense reflects great contradiction Our democracy and legal system have strengths that are admired all over the world. We have a free press, a true independent judiciary and independent institutions like the Election Commission and Comptroller and Auditor General of of India, which underpin our democratic framework," he said.
"However, all these strengths are somewhat diminished due the backlog of cases," the prime minister added.
He asked state governments to initiate immediate action for the operationalisation of the Gram Nyayalaya Act, passed by the government last year and according to which 5,000 rural courts will be set up at the village level to dispense speedy justice.
"I urge state governments to initiate immediate action to operationalise this act in their states. Once the act is fully implemented, we will have more than 5,000 courts at village panchayat level. These will bring justice at the doorstep of common people," the prime minister said.
According to official figures, there are over 3.10 crore cases pending across the country and the rural courts are aimed to help speed up the justice delivery system.
These courts will deal with cases at a level below the subordinate courts but in the same capacity. The act provides for first class judicial magistrates dispensing justice. Judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) will be posted at the rural courts and will be called Nyaya Adhikaris.
Showing posts with label Indian Judiciary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indian Judiciary. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Law must be dynamic to fight terror: Moily
“It is a scenario of worrying future because terrorism attacks democratic institutions, human rights and innocent people. Vigilance by jurists and dynamism by lawmakers should be wedded in the process of law-making to deal with the menace.”
“Unless the criminal justice system is totally overhauled, which we would like to do in the future, it is necessary to build not only capacity of law enforcers, but also the judiciary. There has to be an all-out war on the root, trunk and branches of terrorism.”
Terrorist acts were aimed at destabilising nations and citizens. “It is an attack on our institutions of democracy, symbols of national pride, security and strategic infrastructure and on civilians. Terrorism is a reminder for the global community to stop the rhetoric and perform to effectively fight the menace.”
The Minister said terrorism posed a new challenge to law enforcers and lawmakers alike, and new approaches, techniques, weapons, expertise and laws were required to fight it. “The lawmakers and enforcers need to change their mindset and will have to attune themselves to these new challenges posed by terror.”
“Unless the criminal justice system is totally overhauled, which we would like to do in the future, it is necessary to build not only capacity of law enforcers, but also the judiciary. There has to be an all-out war on the root, trunk and branches of terrorism.”
Terrorist acts were aimed at destabilising nations and citizens. “It is an attack on our institutions of democracy, symbols of national pride, security and strategic infrastructure and on civilians. Terrorism is a reminder for the global community to stop the rhetoric and perform to effectively fight the menace.”
The Minister said terrorism posed a new challenge to law enforcers and lawmakers alike, and new approaches, techniques, weapons, expertise and laws were required to fight it. “The lawmakers and enforcers need to change their mindset and will have to attune themselves to these new challenges posed by terror.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
Languishing of under-trials in jails is regrettable
The judiciary and the executive must work together to eliminate the “scourge” of huge number of pending court cases.
“I can assure this august gathering with all the emphasis at my command that my government will not be found wanting at any level in this joint effort …We promise to match each step of the judiciary with two of our own. We will not hesitate to walk the extra mile at every opportunity.”
“Once the Act is fully implemented, we will have more than 5,000 courts at the intermediate Panchayat level. These will bring justice to the doorsteps of the common people, who currently feel that getting justice in India is not only time-consuming and costly, but sometimes also an intractable proposition.”
“Fast track courts should conduct their business differently and faster than normal courts. Only then shall we be able to tackle pendency in cases.”
Dr. Singh regretted that despite the pronouncements of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, a large number of under-trials were still languishing in jails, many of them for periods longer than they would have served had they been sentenced.
“I can assure this august gathering with all the emphasis at my command that my government will not be found wanting at any level in this joint effort …We promise to match each step of the judiciary with two of our own. We will not hesitate to walk the extra mile at every opportunity.”
“Once the Act is fully implemented, we will have more than 5,000 courts at the intermediate Panchayat level. These will bring justice to the doorsteps of the common people, who currently feel that getting justice in India is not only time-consuming and costly, but sometimes also an intractable proposition.”
“Fast track courts should conduct their business differently and faster than normal courts. Only then shall we be able to tackle pendency in cases.”
Dr. Singh regretted that despite the pronouncements of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, a large number of under-trials were still languishing in jails, many of them for periods longer than they would have served had they been sentenced.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Time to revise our old and outdated legal codes and laws
"One of the major issues confronting the judiciary is the huge backlog of cases. Cases have taken inordinately long time to come to conclusion and litigants have not been able to lead normal life unsure of the verdict in their case,"
Stating that a solution has to be found to this issue, she said, "This could include revising many of our legal codes and laws which are old and outdated as well as strengthening institutional aspects of judiciary."
President further said, "cost of access to justice has become high and expensive whether it is in terms of court fees or lawyers' fees. This has given rise to worrisome doubt about access to justice especially for the weaker sections of society."
Stating that a solution has to be found to this issue, she said, "This could include revising many of our legal codes and laws which are old and outdated as well as strengthening institutional aspects of judiciary."
President further said, "cost of access to justice has become high and expensive whether it is in terms of court fees or lawyers' fees. This has given rise to worrisome doubt about access to justice especially for the weaker sections of society."
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