Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that a strong judicial system is the foundation of a vibrant democratic and developed India coupled with the ease of justice being the right of every citizen and suggested drafting court judgements and orders in simple language for better understanding of the people.
Stating that the in the changing landscape of global geopolitics, the eyes of the world are on India and its trust is constantly increasing, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the “need to capitalise on all opportunities coming our way and mentioned ease of living, ease of doing business, travel, communication and ease of justice as the nation’s top priorities.”
Modi said this while inaugurating the diamond jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court – that had commenced its working on January 28, 1950 – two days after India celebrated its first republic day in 1950. Modi launched multiple technology initiatives – Digital Supreme Court Reports, Digital Courts 2.0 and new website of Supreme Court.
Commenting on the digital initiatives of the Supreme Court that were launched today, he expressed happiness about the availability of the decisions in a digital format and the beginning of the project of translation of the Supreme Court decision in the local language. He expressed the hope for similar arrangements in other courts of the country.
Underling that the at the foundation of vibrant a democratic and developed India is a strong judiciary and the Supreme Court being pivotal to it, the Prime Minister said that the “makers of the Indian constitution saw the dream of a free India based on freedom, equality and justice and the Supreme Court has continuously tried to preserve these principles” and “Whether it is freedom of expression, personal freedom or social justice, the Supreme Court has strengthened India’s vibrant democracy.”
Recalling his suggestion to “draft laws in simple language for a better understanding of the people”, the prime minister suggested a “similar approach to drafting court judgements and orders.”
Stating that “India’s economic policies today will form the basis of tomorrow’s bright India”, Prime Minister Modi said, “The laws being made in India today will further strengthen the bright India of tomorrow”.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to improving the physical infrastructure of the courts, he said after 2014, more than Rs 7,000 crore has been already distributed for this purpose and said that last week Rs 800 crore were approved for the expansion of the Supreme Court Building Complex.
Speaking on the achievements in the use of technology for the furtherance of the justice delivery system and taking the system closer to the people and making the e-filing 24×7, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said, “Let us begin the conversation on long vacations and whether alternatives such as flexitime for lawyers and judges is possible.”
The chief justice said, “In the near future, we must address the structural issues affecting the judiciary, such as pendency of cases, archaic procedures, and the culture of adjournments. Our effort in our work as Judges and administrators must be to ensure dignity to the district judiciary, which is the first point of contact for citizens. Our ability to remain relevant as an institution requires us to recognise challenges and begin difficult conversations.”
CJI Chandrachud flagged four issues that needs to be addressed that included “First, we must emerge out of the adjournment culture to a culture of professionalism; Second, we have to ensure that the length of oral arguments does not interminably delay judicial outcomes; Third, the legal profession must provide a level playing field for first generation lawyers – men, women and others from marginalised segments who have the will to work and the potential to succeed; and Fourth, let us begin the conversation on long vacations and whether alternatives such as flexitime for lawyers and judges is possible.”