Strengthen criminal justice system: Sabharwal

NEW DELHI: Outgoing Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal on Saturday expressed concern over the delay in justice delivery system and favoured strengthening it with time bound trials, especially of cases involving the high and mighty.

In an interaction with the media on his last day in office, he dismissed a question about politicians not getting convicted in cases saying there had been such instances but added judiciary cannot convict someone who is entitled to acquittal.

"I am fairly satisfied with what I did during my tenure as Chief Justice. However, more emphasis was required for criminal justice system which has to be more focussed," he said.

The CJI said that his successor Justice K G Balakrishnan was conscious of the urgent need and steps would be taken with focus on criminal justice system at all levels of the court to cut short the delays.

He was particular that the cases of high and mighty be decided on fast track on a reasonable time frame. When a reporter suggested that there had been no conviction of politicians, Sabharwal shot back saying, "How do you say this? I take strong exception to this. Convictions have been there and appeals are pending. Judiciary cannot convict whoever is entitled to acquittal."