Allahabad: The President of India- Pranab Mukherjee today, on 13th March, said, underlining the issue of pendency of cases in the Indian courts, that the Judiciary is yet to fully meet people’s aspirations for “speedy and affordable justice”.
It was while, inaugurating the 150th anniversary celebration of the High Court of Allahabad, the President of India found stated that the Justice must be “accessible, affordable and quick” for the people for understanding the meaning of the Justice.
The Judiciary’s role was ‘sacrosanct’ and it should always maintain the faith and confidence which the people have in it, President says. Moreover he says that the upholder of the Rule of Law and enforcer of the right to liberty are the other roles of the Judiciary.
However, even though he says the Indian Judiciary is having many strengths, but is yet to “fully meet the aspirations” of the people for “speedy and affordable justice”.
While addressing the mob gathered in the celebration, President- Mukherjee also sought to show the important role which the Judiciary has already played since from independence in strengthening the democratic framework of the country and maintaining rule of law.
Talking about the role of the High Court, Mr. President- Mukherjee found stating that they are having a unique position under the Constitution of India, and while being guardians of the people’s right and liberty, they are also having the onerous responsibility of ensuring that access to justice is not denied to any citizen on account of his “economic or other disability”.
He also does not forget to point that the Judiciary is one of the Three pillars of Indian Democracy and as such it is the final interpreter of the Constitution and thus must help maintain social order, by dealing, swiftly and effectively with those on the wrong side of the law.
He also made clear that the Judiciary in India is now overburdened with the number of cases pending before them, and specifically there are over 3 crore cases pending in various courts throughout the country. Also, he said there are around 38.5 lakh cases pending in 24 different High Courts (in 2015) and it was earlier in the year 2014, there were 41.5 lakh cases pending before the High Courts, the pendency of cases in such Courts has slightly declined from 2014 to 2015.
Adv. Faim Khalilkhan Pathan
