A number of factors contribute to bringing efficiency and speed in the matter of dispensing justice through an elaborate judicial system. Pendency in the courts is of alarming proportion— 22,000 cases in both the wings of the State High Court and 1, 91, 144 cases in the subordinate courts across the state. Recent appointment of five more judges to the High Court will surely contribute to reducing the pendency but despite that keeping in mind the volume of pendency, one is not sure whether justice will not be delayed. In the course of presenting his Ministry’s budget in the assembly, the Minister in charge of Law stated a slew of measures contemplated by the Government to improve judicial system in the country. We welcome Government’s intention of opening more subordinate courts and even toying with the idea of opening one Munsiff Court at each Block Headquarter. More significant improvements have been hinted at and the good thing is that according to the Minister, the finance department has conveyed its nod to the opening of new senior as well a subordinate courts. Constituting of Law Commission for the first time is a very progressive step taken in the light of providing legal support to poorer people either free of cost or on nominal charges.
The fact is that contemporary society has embraced new phenomenon of social development arising out industrialization, advancement in information technology, increasing offences against women and offences relating to narcotics and drugs. This has brought our judicial system under pressure because large number of cases is brought to the court of law. All this necessitates drastic improvement not only in the existing penal code but in the very judicial structure as well. Many of the existing laws have become redundant and need to be revised. The system of making amendments should be easy and quick. The Law Commission is envisaged to invite suggestions from public domain to the effect of removing unnecessary laws, amending and upgrading many others. Making public prosecutor accountable is also a very progressive measure. That is why we say that numerous facets of our judicial dispensation need reforms and remodeling if we mean to do away with enormous pendency.
As the Government is contemplating a slew of reforms, it is necessary that those charged with the responsibility of dispensing justice also become sensitive to their responsibility to the society. We need not lay special emphasis on the fact that the judges are the protectors of civil rights of the people of this country. Our judiciary has an excellent record of honesty, fairness and impartiality. We expect the entire judicial structure to adhere to the high standard of efficiency it has already created. With drastic reforms announced by the Law Minister on the floor of the house, every stakeholder expects that quick justice is not now a distant cry. It will be brought to the doorsteps of litigants. All that we would like to tell the Law Minister is that while his proposed reforms are most welcome, these should be implemented as early as possible. Affected people are impatient to get quick justice.
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