New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday emphasised the need for a cultural shift in the judiciary to address the issue of case adjournments and expedite justice delivery. Her remarks came during a session of the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary held in Delhi.
Addressing the attendees, including Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal, President Murmu highlighted the significant challenge posed by the pendency of court cases. She said that “all possible efforts need to be made to change the culture of adjournments in courts” to ensure more efficient handling of cases.
‘Black court syndrome’ must be studied: President Murmu
President Murmu discussed the negative impact of courtroom settings on ordinary citizens, a condition she referred to as “Black court syndrome.” She suggested that this phenomenon be studied further to better understand and address the stress experienced by people in legal settings.
Expressing her satisfaction with the increase in the number of women judicial officers, Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the event at the Bharat Mandapam.
In her address, President Murmu drew on the Mahabharata to highlight the Supreme Court’s motto, “Yato Dharmah Tato Jayah,” which translates to “where there is Dharma, there is victory.”
She said, “It is the religious scriptures that decide what is justice and what is injustice. I am happy that the Supreme Court has organized such programs to ensure people’s faith in the judiciary. The feeling of faith and devotion towards justice has been a part of our tradition.”
President Murmu emphasised the moral responsibility of judges and judicial officers to uphold truth and justice, describing this duty as “the long pillar of the judiciary.” “The pending cases and backlog are a big challenge for the judiciary, it should be given priority and a solution should be found. This has been discussed and I am sure it will yield results,” she said.
The President said, “In rape cases, the decision comes in such a long time. Due to the delay, people feel that there is less compassion. Before God, delay is not injustice. For how many days, 12 years, 20 years? By the time justice is delivered, life will be over, smiles will be over. We should think deeply about this.”
What PM Modi said on Supreme Court’s 75th anniversary
The conference follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the All India Conference of Judges, held on the occasion of the Supreme Court’s 75th anniversary.
PM Modi expressed concern over crimes against women and children and urged district court judges to expedite these cases to foster a greater sense of security in society.
He said, “This is not just the journey of an institution. This is the journey of the Constitution of India and constitutional values. This is the journey of India becoming more mature as a democracy.”
