For some time, we have been experiencing increase in crime-graph all
over the country. There are many reasons for this increase. Some attribute
changing social environment, some debit with increasing unemployment,
corruption, slow judicial process etc.etc. Yesterday, I got an opportunity to
see the proceedings in the Court of Hon'ble Kalimullah Khan,J. at High Court of
Judicature at Allahabad.
Upto lunch time, he was found very much keenly discussing the pros and cons of
every case being put up to him, and delivering the orders then and there. As
the watch struck 1 pm, he extended the sitting time and continued to hear.
After 18 minutes, he got up and wished Happy New Year to all those who were
present in the Court. Then, he went to the Chamber. We thought that before
going on winter off, he would dispose of all the files listed in his Court for
the day. Unfortunately, after a few minutes, the staff informed that after
lunch, the court would not sit to hear the cases. The good wishes expressed by
the Hon’ble Judge pierced the hearts of those who were there in the court with
hope that before the winter off, they would get the judgments on their cases
but there being no court after lunch, they would not get the opportunity and
their cases would be heard next time, perhaps in the month of January, 2013.
The year 2012 would end with a sad note of delay which could have been avoided.
They felt cheated but could not express their protest, fearing of the contempt
of court then and there.
Not only in the Court of Hon’ble Kalimullah Khan, J, such incidents
occurred in other courts earlier also when the hon’ble Judges come to the
courts very late, leave the courts much before the lunch time, come back much
late after the lunch time is over, many time, they do not come back. Thus, such
practices result into short time dedication to the adjudicating process which
is responsible for the fact that the majority of the cases listed for that
particular court remain unattended causing a lot of financial, physical and
mental hardship to those perokars who come to court from far flung districts.
If the judiciary decides that its members will dedicate the scheduled time
sincerely to the courts for hearing all the cases listed for them for that very
day, the pending list of the cases may reduce drastically resulting into lesser
frustration in the minds of the litigants and reduction into the hatred being
developed by the attitude of judiciary staff, the prevailing corruption and
bribe-cum-high fee being charged by some of the advocates. This dedication can
reduce the crime graph affecting the society also – they too are the part of
the society and can be affected by the criminals at any time, taking benefit of
the slow judiciary process.
Further, why do the higher echelons of the judiciary effectively
recommend for setting up benches of High Courts at divisional regions and that
of Supreme Court at more places for quick delivery of justice? If it is done,
we are sure that it may not cost the nation as much as the scams and slow
judiciary process resulting into increasing crime graph are costing. The
judiciary can increase the levy of judicial costs on the litigants to meet the
expenses if the Governments do not support their recommendation of increasing
the numbers of the benches financially.
For better society, the judiciary must make an introspection to
improve itself also as it is an important part of the society and can be
answerable one day when the crime supported by corrupt practices grows beyond
control.
I think that the judiciary is already making introspection; it must
now be accelerated further to bear the fruits earlier than it is too late.
Be Happy – The
Judiciary is Making Introspection.
