PM Underscores Tackling Corruption In Judiciary

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Corruption in the judiciary and court delays were counted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today among common litigants' problems that must be examined and remedied.

''Instances of corruption have now begun to surface in our judicial system, too,'' Dr Singh remarked, opening a conference of state chief ministers and high court chief justices at Vigyan Bhavan.

The conference centring on Justice: Accelerated and Affordable heard a keynote address by Chief Justice Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal promising ''zero tolerance'' to corruption and a welcome address by Law and Justice Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj.

The Prime Minister emphasised that ''an important aspect of the reform and modernisation of the judiciary and improving the incentive mechanism, is to tackle corruption in the judiciary.'' Dr Singh said the prosecution trend where cases ''fall because witnesses turn hostile or change their evidence is causing concern to ever increasing sections of society.'' The allusion applied to the infamous Jessica Lal case outcome-- absolving all nine accused in a murder committed in a packed bar room seven years ago.

The outcome sent a wave of shock across the nation, leading to calls for an effective system of justice which actually punishes criminals and violators and relieves victims.

The widespread public concern was acknowledged by the Prime Minister who stressed ''need for all of us to reflect whether the existing procedures are adequate and foolproof.'' Dr Singh called for an introspection ''whether we are using all available provisions to prevent deviant behaviour and whether we need new provisions in law so that the justice system is seen to deliver justice.'' Speaking as a ''lay man,'' the Prime Minister said ''apart from delay in settlement of cases, lengthy court procedures, frequent adjournments, evidence taking procedures, corruption in the judiciary is also a problem of public concern that we must address.'' MORE UNI MJ NK DS1522