Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 3: Minimizing adjournments in courts will remain a myth until procedural law is amended and made more stringent, strictly implemented and presiding Judges held accountable. Strikes and closure of court work for similar reasons must also be minimized as these lead to avoidable adjournments and cause huge inconvenience to the people. These were some of the conclusions of a panel discussion organised by the J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in collaboration with Criminologists Society of Jammu & Kashmir on the topic “Minimizing Adjournments: Myth or Reality”.
Justice (retd) Mr J P Singh chaired the session and panelists included U K Jalali, senior advocate and former Advocate General of the State, noted academic Prof.V K Kapoor and B R Gupta, former Director Prosecution of J&K Police. The participants included members of legal fraternity, academia, IIPA and the civil society.
Initiating the discussion Justice J P Singh said that justice is a changing expression and is for the welfare of an individual. He acknowledged that liberal adjournments are an impediment to speedy trial and delivery of justice. He emphasized that there is a need to have a re-look into the age old judicial institutional framework and align it with the changing societal needs, thinking and technological advancements.
U K Jalali while sharing his experiences as Chief Law Officer of the State said that the adjournment doctrine is an unwritten one and there is a need for change in the mindset of both the seekers and givers of adjournments.
Prof. V K Kapoor stressed upon the equitable distribution of work load among judges and the ethics in administration of justice.
B R Gupta in his remarks said that proper monitoring and the implementation of mandate of law in letter and spirit can ensure timely delivery of justice and avoiding adjournments.
Earlier Dr. Ashok Bhan, Chairman, IIPA J&K Regional Branch introduced the panelists and the subject of discussion. Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, President, Criminologists Society of Jammu & Kashmir in his introductory note said that the justice delivery system is under tremendous strain and requires support of all organs of state and civil society.
Dr. Anil Gupta, joint secretary, IIPA J&K Regional Branch conducted the proceedings and presented the formal vote of thanks.
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