Chief Justice Ramana Explains What Is ‘Indianisation' Of Justice Delivery
Chief Justice NV Ramana calls for matching laws with India's practical realities.
Even after 74 years of Independence, traditional and agrarian societies which have been following customary ways of life still feel hesitant to approach the courts, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said.
The chief justice highlighted the challenges that the judicial system faces: inability of the vulnerable to access legal services, and lack of infrastructure and awareness.
‘Indianisation' of Justice System
The vulnerable sections of society face difficulties while accessing justice, he said, emphasising the importance of the legal service institution.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a new building of Odisha State Legal Services Authority, Cuttack.
Justice Ramana said that between the complex language of the acts and the process of justice delivery, the common man seems to lose control over its grievance.
Sadly, our system is designed in such a way that by the time all the facts and law are churned in the court of law, much gets lost in the process. People might be bringing their problems to the courts, but what remains at the end of a day is yet another “case”.CJI Justice NV Ramana
Chief Justice Ramana said these issues should be addressed through Indianisation.
There is a need to drastically alter the justice delivery mechanism to make it people friendly, he said. "There is a need to match our laws with practical realities."
The executive has to match these efforts by way of simplifying the corresponding rules. Most importantly, the executive and the legislature should function in unison in realising the Constitutional aspirations.Chief Justice of India NV Ramana
It is only in this situation that the judiciary will not be compelled to step in as a lawmaker and only be left with the duty of applying and interpreting the laws, said the Chief Justice. There is a need to dispel the notion that it the court’s responsibility to make the law, he said.
Justice Ramana then focused on what he called the second challenge.
'Enable People To Decode Justice System'
The chief justice said there is a need to strengthen the legal outreach programmes along with improving the judicial infrastructure.
The top court has decided to launch a country-wide legal awareness mission in the coming week.
Lack of proper infrastructure and funds curtail the activities of legal services institutions, reducing the number of beneficiaries, Chief Justice Ramana said.
Ultimately, the goal of justice delivery gets hampered, he said.