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Bangalore: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday said Indianisation of the country’s legal system is the need of the hour and it is important to make the justice delivery system more accessible and effective.
Courts need to be litigant-centred, he said, and simplification of justice delivery should be a pressing concern.
“Often our justice delivery creates many hurdles for the common people. The functioning and style of the courts did not match the complexities of India. Our system, customs, rules being colonial in origin, it may not be best suited for the needs of the Indian population,” Justice Ramana said.
Addressing an event organized here to pay tribute to late Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar, he said “Indianisation of our legal system” is the need of the hour.
“When I say Indianisation, I mean the need to adapt to the practical realities of our society and to localize our justice delivery system.
For example, parties to a rural location fighting a family dispute are usually made to feel out of place in court; They do not understand the arguments or arguments which are mostly in English, a different language for them,” he said.
Further noting that these days the judgments have become lengthy, the Chief Justice said that this further complicates the position of the litigants.
“The parties are forced to spend more money to make them understand the implications of the judgment. Courts need to be plaintiff-centered because they are the ultimate beneficiary. Simplification of delivery of justice should be our prime concern. It is important to make justice delivery more transparent, accessible and effective.”
Justice Ramana observed that procedural barriers often undermine access to justice.
“A common man should not be afraid of judges and courts while approaching the court; He should be able to speak the truth. It is the duty of the lawyers and judges to create an environment which is comfortable for the litigants and other stakeholders,” he said.
“We must not forget that the litigant, the justice seeker, is the focal point of any justice system,” he said, adding that “the use of alternative dispute mechanisms such as mediation and conciliation will go a long way in reducing friction between the parties and the will decide the way.” Resources will be saved. It also reduces the pendency and necessity of pending arguments and decisions. “
Recalling Justice Shantanagoudar, who died on April 25 at a private hospital in Gurugram, where he was admitted as an “extraordinary judge” at the age of 62 due to a lung infection, the Chief Justice said That these are the topics he used to discuss. with him everyday.
Expressing “deep gratitude” for Shantanagoudar’s contribution and friendship to the Indian judiciary and the country’s jurisprudence, the Chief Justice said, “By losing him the country has lost a common man’s judge.
I have personally lost a dearest friend and a valuable colleague.”
Justice S Abdul Nazeer, Justice AS Bopanna, Justice Abhay Srinivas Oka, Justice BV Nagarathna, Acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Satish Chandra Sharma, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Law Minister JC Madhuswamy, several current and former judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts Other people including office bearers and members of the Bar Council were present.
The family of late Justice Shantanagoudar was also present at the event.
Recalling his long association with him from a young age, Chief Minister Bommai said Shantanagoudar was a down-to-earth personality and called him a “common man’s judge”.
“He (Shantanagoudar) was a vibrant person, he made everyone around him alive. His simplicity, warmth and connection to the roots were really outstanding,” he said.
Bommai also recalled that Shantanagoudar wanted to join politics and contest the Lok Sabha elections and had discussed the matter with his father, former chief minister, the late SR Bommai. Bommai said that his father advised him to continue his legal profession as he saw a bright future for him in it.
Recalling his long association, Justice Nazeer observed that Shantanagoudar was called “Shantanagoudar”, and his intelligence and empathy were the guiding force behind his decisions.
Paying tribute, Justice Bopanna said, “His achievements and good deeds will continue to inspire us all.”
Justice BV Nagarathna said that Justice Oka remembered Shantanagoudar as a judge who spoke his mind and upheld personal liberty, Justice B.V. “He truly believed that justice delayed is justice denied.”
Shantanagoudar was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on February 17, 2017. He will continue in the post till May 5, 2023.
Born on May 5, 1958 in Karnataka, Shantanagoudar enrolled himself as a lawyer on September 5, 1980. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court on May 12, 2003 and became a permanent judge in the court. in September 2004.
Later, Justice Shantanagoudar was transferred to the Kerala High Court, where he assumed charge as the Acting Chief Justice on August 1, 2016.
Before being elevated as a judge of the apex court, he became the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on September 22, 2016.
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