From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Dec 13: Chief Justice of India H L Dattu expressed concern over the huge pendency of cases in the courts and the delivery of justice must be handled by the judiciary through reform and adoption of modern tools along with emphasis on social values.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 17th Biennial State-level Conference Judicial Officers with the main focus on "dispensation of justice: qualitative, responsive and timely’’ organised by the Karnataka State Judicial Officers Association in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Justice Dattu, who had practiced in Karnataka High Court as an advocate and later as a High Court Judge, is visiting Bengaluru for the first time after assuming the highest judicial post in the country as the Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court.
He said the huge pendency of cases in high courts and lower courts in India was one of the biggest hurdles in the speedy delivery of justice and urged the members of the judiciary to apply their minds and talents to tackle the problem.
Judicial officers, however, must look beyond mere reducing litigation. Though there is no dearth of legal talent in the country, he said the slow and ineffective manner of disposal of the cases was a matter of concern.
The role of judicial officers in ensuring speedy disposal of cases was important. The judicial officers must possess character, merit and integrity, which must be developed and nurtured through constant efforts and hard work.
Karnataka’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said thre were 12,26,506 cases pending at the district level and urged the judiciary to take steps to solve the problem of pendency. The State Government, on its part, he said was ready to offer all possible assistance and support, he said.
Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court D H Waghela said 12.5 lakh cases had been disposed of this year in two Lok Adalats.
While admitting that pendency of cases was a problem and matter of concern, Justice Waghela felt the State was in the process of sorting all the pending cases soon.
He said that in terms of efficiency, Karnataka tops the list with minimum number of cases that are five years old. The state is number one in computerisation, infrastructure and a majority of cases do not go to higher courts. At present, computerisation of judicial processes is being planned for the next 20 to 25 years.