Need quicker decisions in cases related to atrocities against women: PM Modi
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 31
Inaugurating the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary here, the Prime Minister expressed serious concern over the “burning issue” of women and children and called for activating the judicial mechanisms under the special fast track court system to ensure speedy justice in such cases.
“There are several strict laws for women’s safety. In 2019, the Government had planned to establish fast-track special courts. There’s a provision for a deposition centre for important witnesses under it. The District Monitoring Committee under fast-track special courts can also play an important role… It consists of the District Judge, District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police who can play an important role in creating coordination with regard to various aspects of the Criminal Justice System.
“There’s need to make these committees more active. The quicker the decisions in cases related to atrocities against women, the greater will be the assurance of safety to half the population,” Modi said in the presence of CJI DY Chandraachud, Supreme Court judges, high court chief justices and district court judges, besides others.
Pointing out the pendency of about 4.5 crore cases in the district courts, PM Modi called for moving towards completely “future ready” courts with the help of a unified technology platform incorporating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Optical character recognition. “Such technological platforms would help analyse pending cases and predict future cases as well. It would integrate and speed up the work of various departments like Police, forensics, jail and court,” he said.
The Prime Minister also unveiled a stamp and a coin commemorating 75 years of the establishment of the Supreme Court of India.
“The Supreme Court of India’s journey of 75 years does not merely relate to one institution but is also a journey of India’s Constitution, its values and the journey of India evolving as a democracy…People of India have never shown disbelief towards the Supreme Court of India or the judiciary”, Modi said.
“The journey of 75 years of the Supreme Court of India emboldens India’s glory as the Mother of Democracy. It strengthens the cultural proclamation of Satya Mev Jayate, Naanritam. Noting that the nation has completed 75 years of its independence and is about to celebrate 75 years of the Constitution,” Prime Minister Modi said.
He lauded the Supreme Court for efficiently discharging its responsibilities. “The Supreme Court also protected against the attacks on fundamental rights and whenever the question of national security arose, the judiciary protected the unity and integrity of India by keeping the national interest paramount,” he said, adding, “Judiciary is considered as the Guardian of our Democracy.”
Terming it an occasion of pride and inspiration, he congratulated the judicial fraternity and the citizens of India and conveyed his best wishes to those participating in the National Conference of District Judiciary.
Modi said the District judiciary was the first point of contact for the common man seeking justice and therefore, it was of utmost priority that the first centres of justice should be capable and modern in every way.
He said Indi spent about Rs 8,000 crore for the development of judicial infrastructure. “In these 10 years, more than 7.5 thousand court halls and 11 thousand residential units have been prepared for the District Judiciary”, he added.
Organized today as part of the 75th year celebrations of the Supreme Court of India, it’s the first such conference being attended by 800 district judges from across India.
