President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said that pendency and backlog is a big challenge to the judiciary, highlighting the importance of ensuring swift justice, especially in cases of rape.
Addressing the valedictory event of the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary, the President said, "When court decisions in cases like rape come only after a generation has passed, the common person feels that the justice process lacks sensitivity."
President Murmu said that people in villages regard the judiciary as "divine" because they find justice there. "There is a saying - Bhagwan ke ghar der hai andher nahi (in God's house, there may be a delay, but there is no injustice). But how long is the delay? How long can it be? We need to think about this," she said.
"By the time someone gets justice, their smiles might have disappeared, their lives might have ended. We should deeply reflect on this," she added.
President Murmu's remark comes following her statement denouncing the recent rape and murder case of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata.
President Murmu stated that the judiciary faces numerous challenges that require coordinated efforts from all stakeholders. For instance, issues related to evidence and witnesses should be addressed collaboratively by the judiciary, government, and police administration, she said.
"It's a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, well-off individuals continue to roam free even after committing crimes, while the victims live in fear. The situation for women is even worse, as society does not support them," she said.
Further in her address, President Murmu said all possible actions should be taken to change the "culture of adjournments" in courts to ensure swift justice.
"I have observed that the poor man from the village fears going to court and participates in the judicial process only out of sheer necessity. Often, he endures injustice quietly because he believes that fighting for justice might make his life even more miserable. For him, simply travelling from the village to the court becomes a significant mental and financial burden," the President said.
"In such situations, the suffering caused to poor people by repeated adjournments, or the 'culture of adjournment', is something many people cannot even imagine. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation," she added.
While talking about the backlog, President Murmu said the Constitution provides for legislative and executive powers and responsibilities at the local level through panchayats and municipalities.
She added that by providing justice in the local language and under local conditions, it might help achieve the idea of "justice at everyone's doorstep".
The President also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.
The event was attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal. Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the programme held at the Bharat Mandapam.
Source: India Today