CJI: JUDICIAL INFRA WAS NEGLECTED AFTER INDEPENDENCE

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.