Supreme Court sets up 'Social Justice Bench' to deal with social issues

New Delhi, Dec 4: The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a special 'Social Justice Bench' to exclusively hear cases concerning social issues particularly those related to women, children and underprivileged saying that specialised approach is needed for dealing with these matters.

Emphasising that judiciary needs to be proactive to ensure early disposal of such cases and to bring fruits of the rights provided under the Constitution to people, the apex court set up the bench, which will assemble every Friday at 2 pm from December 12.

"In Supreme Court several cases relating to the domain of social justice are pending for several years. Chief Justice of India is of the view that these cases shall be given a specialised approach for their early disposal so that the masses will realise the fruits of the rights provided to them by the constitutional text.

"In this perspective his Lordship has ordered constitution of special bench titled as 'Social Justice Bench' to deal specially with the matters relating to society and its members, to secure social justice, one of the ideals of the Indian Constitution," a press release issued by the apex court said.

The special bench will comprise justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit.

"Under the domain of social justice, several cases highlighting social issues are included.

"To mention summarily about the release of surplus foodgrains lying in stocks for the use of people living in the drought-affected areas to frame a fresh scheme for public distribution of foodgrains, to take steps to prevent untimely death of women and children for want of nutritious food, providing hygienic meal besides issues relating to children to provide night shelter to destitute and homeless, to provide medical facilities to all the citizens irrespective of their economic condition, to provide hygienic drinking water, to provide safety and secure living condition for the fair gender who are forced into prostitution etc.

"These are some of the areas where the Constitution mechanism has to play a proactive role in order to meet the goals of the Constitution," the release said.

PTI