Government ensuring proper infrastructure for lower courts

Government ensuring proper infrastructure for lower courts

Law and Justice minister emphasizes on bringing 'justice at the doorstep'

Union Minister for Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju has reiterated that the government is taking measures to ensure a proper infrastructure for the lower judiciary.

While speaking at a function organized by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to observe the Legal Services Day, he acknowledged that four crore cases were pending in the lower courts. But, at the same time, "the idea of bringing 'justice at the doorstep' is really transforming the judiciary in our country," he added.

Referring to a large number of pending cases, the minister stated that while the Supreme Court and the High Courts were functioning at certain standards, which need to be supported, the lower judiciary required greater thrust.

Importantly, the Chief Justice of India, N. V. Ramana has repeatedly highlighted the issue of lack of proper infrastructure for the lower judiciary on many public occasions.

Empathizing with the common man, Rijiju said that it was disheartening to see an ordinary person struggling to get justice. "We know it is not the fault of anyone, but of the circumstances. A person may sell his property to get justice, but he does not get a date," he admitted.

Addressing the comments on social media and remarks on various forums regarding the work being done by the judiciary, Rijiju stated that it was difficult for people to comprehend the jobs handled by the judges, including the homework and study that they do.

"We are from public life; we are open. But the judges cannot be that open. It is not easy for a judge to come out of his courtroom and conventional duties and look after the services like providing legal aid," the minister apprised.

While applauding CJI Ramana and Justice UU Lalit, he also commended the work done by NALSA to increase people's access to justice and stressed the need to make justice easily available to an ordinary person.

Referring to the law students and future lawyers, he said that the country would provide great opportunities to them. "You have to bring life to the judicial system and through you, we shall have a robust democracy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed that India must be made an International Centre for Arbitration," he added.

Rijiju also spoke about the need to have simple laws in a simple language, which would be convenient for everyone to understand. But that does not mean the judges and lawyers would become jobless, he clarified.