The Delhi High Court on Wednesday disposed of a plea praying for placing the National Flag, the Statue of Justice, as also the National Emblem in Delhi Courts. 

The matter was listed before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D. N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh. 

Petitioner-in-person Shrikant Prasad submitted that a statue of a mother and a child holding a book depicting sign of balance can be seen in the premises of the Supreme Court, but the size of the same is so small that it is not visible from an ordinary person’s view. 

The Bench was not inclined and asked him if he seeks to withdrew the petition. Accordingly, he withdrew the plea unconditionally.

The plea was filed as a public interest litigation by Rajkishore Prasad Kushwaha, a practising lawyer, along with Shrikant Prasad, a final year law student. 

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It prayed for placing the National Flag, the Statue of Justice and the National Emblem inside the courtrooms and at the entrance of all courts within the national capital. The plea claimed that this would develop a feeling of patriotism and nationalism in the minds of the stakeholders of the courtrooms; and also in the minds of offenders, which may change their criminal behaviour and turn them into law-abiding citizens. 

It stated that the National Flag fosters national spirit and is a symbol of national unity and harmony. The Statue of Justice symbolises fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption, favour, greed, or prejudice; whereas the National Emblem symbolises power, courage and confidence. 

It further stated that major developed nations, including the US and the UK, have placed the flags of their nations and their national symbols in their courtrooms. If Indian courtrooms will also take this step, it would awaken the people’s mind and generate a positive energy in the court, the plea claimed.

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Relying on the ‘Social Disorganization Theory’, which links crime rates to neighbourhood ecological characteristics and stated that a person’s residential location is a substantial factor in determining the likelihood of him being involved in criminal activities, the plea alleged that lack of nationalism and patriotism plays a major role in facilitating commission of crime.

“It is necessary to place the Statue of Justice and National Flag right in front of the main gate of each court because all these actions will increase people’s reverence for justice and reduce crimes, when the nationalism and patriotism will be visible,” it added.