Rs5,000cr set aside to clear backlog of 30 million cases in lower courts, 3.5 million in higher judiciary
Inordinate delays in the judiciary will be a thing of the past if Union law minister Veerappa Moily can keep his promise. Speaking at the national convention on judicial reforms at SP Jain Auditorium, Andheri on Saturday, Moily said, “No litigation should be pending for more than three years by the end of 2012.” The audience for Moily’s address at the convention organised by Forum for Fast Justice included advocates, retired judges, social activists, college students and senior citizens.
“I have seen enough for one-and-a-half years. This year is for implementation,” Moily said. Citing his action plan for judicial reforms in the country, he said that justice will have to be made inclusive, in addition to being fast. “Justice should also be for those who can’t afford to come to court. We need to take justice to rural areas too.”
Retired chief justice of India, MN Venkatachaliah, pointed out that there are 30 million cases pending in lower courts, 50% of which are concentrated in just five states, while 3.5 million cases are pending in the high courts across the nation.
Moily said that the executive and the judiciary are working together to bring down the arrears in courts. He said that the Centre has allocated Rs5,000 crore for judicial reforms, of which Rs1,000 crore will be used for enhancing the infrastructure in subordinate courts.
Moily also cited an example of an undertrial, who spent four years in jail for a theft of Rs200, as he was unable to afford a bail surety. Moily announced that his reform policy would include the conclusion of cases within six months of filing a charge-sheet and that of corruption cases in one year. “A man who is corrupt should be inside (prison),” he said.
He further said that like in information technology, India should be a leader in the field of law as well. With a view to produce “world-class lawyers” Moily said another 14 national law schools will be set up in the next three years along with five research and training institutes for training faculty members.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}