Judicial infrastructure neglected after Independence: CJI Ramana
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday rued that judicial infrastructure was largely “neglected” after the country got its independence in 1947 and lack of facilities continues to cripple access to justice.
Laying emphasis on strengthening judicial infrastructure, the CJI said poor infrastructure in courts across the country was not only adverse for litigants but also for judicial officers and court staff who were bound to work under deleterious conditions. “We neglected and failed to focus on providing good infrastructure for courts in India after the British left,” the CJI said at the foundation stone laying of the National Law University, proposed to be established at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
“Courts in India still operate from dilapidated structures, without proper facilities. Such a situation is severely detrimental to the experience of litigants and lawyers. It is an unpleasant work environment for court staff and judges, making it difficult to effectively perform their functions,” he added. The event was also attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel, Union law minister Kiren Rijiju, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and acting chief justice of Allahabad high court MN Bhandari.
The CJI highlighted the role of National Judicial Infrastructure Corporation (NJIC) in developing concepts of the national court development project and its implementation to build modern and self-sufficient judicial infrastructure.
“NJIC shall be along the lines of different infrastructure development statutory bodies that work towards creating National Assets across the country. One of the design principles that NJIC will follow, is socially responsible and inclusive architecture,” said Justice Ramana.
President Kovind said to achieve the inclusive ideals of the Indian Constitution, the role of women in the judiciary needs to be increased. “If we have to achieve the inclusive ideals of our Constitution, then the role of women in the judiciary also has to be increased,” the President added.
‘Verdict of great courage’ The 1975 verdict of Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha of the Allahabad high court disqualifying then prime minister Indira Gandhi on charges of electoral malpractices was a judgment of “great courage” that “shook” the nation, leading to imposition of Emergency, the CJI said.
“In 1975, it was Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha from the Allahabad High Court who passed the judgment that shook the nation, when he disqualified Smt. Indira Gandhi. It was a judgment of great courage, which could be said to have directly resulted in the declaration of Emergency,” he said.
(With inputs from Lucknow)