President Droupadi Murmu today said that reducing pendency of cases is a big challenge facing the judiciary. Addressing the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi this evening, President Murmu said all stakeholders should come together and find solutions to address the backlog of cases. She stressed the need to ponder upon the serious issue of cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years. She also unveiled the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court on the occasion.
President Murmu observed that court decisions in heinous crimes like rape come after a generation has passed. She said that due to this, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. The President pointed out that the poor people from villages are afraid to go to court and become a participant in the justice process only under great compulsion. She said they often tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. She stressed that every possible measure should be taken to change this situation.
President Murmu also opined that although there have been significant improvements in infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level, a lot remains to be done in all these areas.
The President noted that since its establishment, the Supreme Court has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world’s largest democracy. She said Indian jurisprudence has a respectable place because of the Supreme Court. She stressed that every judge and judicial officer of the country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth and justice.
In his address, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal expressed pride that Supreme Court has completed the journey of 75 years. He said a good ecosystem of the judicial system should be available to the citizens working in various fields so that they can devote their individual and collective potential to nation-building.
Addressing the Conference, Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud said the Committee on Reducing Arrears of Cases has laid out an action plan for reducing case pendency through case management. He added that some of the other strategies for dealing with the backlog include pre-litigation dispute resolution. The Chief Justice said the Supreme Court recently concluded its first-ever National Lok Adalat, at which almost 1,000 cases were disposed of amicably within a course of five working days. Chief Justice Chandrachud concluded by underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to providing a safe and accommodating environment for all members of society, particularly women and other vulnerable groups.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the National Conference of District Judiciary yesterday.
