Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana has said that people’s trust in judiciary should be so much so that they do not hesitate to approach the courts in case of disputes.
Speaking at the inauguration of 32 new judicial districts in Telangana on eighth Formation Day of the state, the CJI said, “Their trust in judiciary should be equal to that of the trust they have in hospitals in case of health emergencies.”
The new judicial districts were inaugurated by the CJI and Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday.
Noting that the inauguration of 32 new districts was a big step towards enabling better access to judiciary, the CJI said it was the responsibility of the lawyers, judges and litigants to use this in the best possible way.
He noted that Hyderabad (the capital of Telangana) and Telangana were big commercial centres and the number of commercial courts should be increased to enable the ease of doing business.
Choosing to deliver his address in Telugu, CJI Ramana noted that it was in honour of the State and its population.
Speaking about the success of Telangana as a state, the CJI said, “Eight years ago, when the State was formed, there were many doubts about it. However, the State has disproven all the doubts.”
CJI Ramana also spoke of the Chief Ministers-Chief Justices conference that took place in April this year and spoke about the need to improve the judicial infrastructure in the country.
He also expressed his disappointment over some states, who had not given their consent for the formation of National Judicial Infrastructure Authority, stating that the same would have benefitted the cause of improvement of judiciary and access to justice.
As per Justice Ramana, the judiciary did not function for the benefit of just few people, but was important to uphold the rights of people, as per the Constitution.
The CJI said that it has become a practice to distort the verdicts passed by the courts, when people don’t get relief.
He added that it has easy to level allegations against people holding a high position.
Justice Ramana noted that there was an increase in the number of such people, who derive pleasure by indulging themselves in such practices.
He said that every person was a friend of the judiciary, if they remained in their limits. However, it was improper not to punish those, who crossed the line, he added.
Stating that judiciary played a very important role in preserving democracy, the CJI stressed on the need for impartial and free legal system to strengthen the nation.
It was the responsibility of every citizen of the country to ensure that legal system functioned in an independent manner, he added.