Rule of law essence of democracy: Governor
Legal Correspondent
Shimla, February 29
The celebration of the golden jubilee year of a high court is of public importance and an occasion of joy. It also calls for introspection. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said this while inaugurating the celebrations of the golden jubilee year of the establishment of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh here today.
Strengthen free legal aid system: Dattatreya
While we need to strengthen our free legal aid system, we must also never forget the dictum, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’ I will request the best minds, who are here today, to deliberate and suggest ways and means to achieve these objectives.
In his inaugural address, the Governor said, “The rule of law is the essence of a democracy and the judiciary plays a vital role in ensuring that every person gets equal treatment irrespective of one’s identity”.
He said, “An institution is known by the people who shape it and it is a matter of pride for us that this august institution holds the distinction of having sent as many as 13 distinguished judges to the Supreme Court of India. Also, three judges of this court have adorned the chairs of the Chief Justices of various high courts”.
The Governor focused on affordability of justice and delays in the judicial process and said these should be linked. He said that a provision of free legal service and timely disposal of cases would provide the much-needed impetus to the cause of ‘Justice for all’.
Suresh Bhardwaj, Education and Law Minister, assured the gathering of providing the best facilities and infrastructure and support for the expansion of the state judiciary.
Chief Justice L. Narayana Swamy said that he was feeling privileged to be the Chief Justice of the High Court in its golden jubilee year. He added that public trust and confidence in the effective functioning of courts was an indicator of the fulfilment of the constitutional mandate to promote justice.
Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justice Sureshwar Thakur, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Justice Sandeep Sharma, Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia, Justice Anoop Chitkara and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua were present.
