Interpretation of law changing with society- Justice Ansari

Itanagar, May 28: Gauhati High Court Justice I A Ansari today observed that interpretation of law was changing with the fast changing society and medical evidences took precedence over eye witnesses as doctors were less sacrosanct now, giving credence to the role of judges.

To drive his point, he said, ''It is not a blame game to shake off responsibilities but its time to introspect. The State cannot compromise with the three most essential responsibilities of defending the country, managing finance and maintaining law and order. The Judiciary comes under the last element''.

He said the Constitution provides operation of the legal system by promoting justice through equal opportunity, besides providing free legal aid through suitable legislation or schemes to ensure justice.

In his keynote address to the state level meet of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA), he said that to fulfill the mandate of Article 39 A, the Centre has legislated The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

In his thought provoking address punctuated by examples, Justice Ansari expressed concern over 'disturbing factors' of high pendency of cases in Arunachal Pradesh, where judiciary is yet to be separated from the executive.

Nourishing of contempt by the lawyers towards the judges and vice versa was responsible for such a phenomenon, he said.

Referring to 9617 pending cases in Arunachal, Mr Ansari said Papum Pare had topped the list with 2288, followed by Kurung Kumey (1262), East Siang (1051), East Kameng (896), Changlang (879) and Upper Subansiri 831, while of the 686 pending criminal cases in session courts, West Siang had a record 352 followed by Changlang (166). There was no reason for a case to prolong upto ten years, he said describing the situation as highly disturbing in a state where the crime rate was very low.

The Chief Justice of India, who heads the National Legal Services Authorities, had directed the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA) to expand their services for speedy disposal of pending cases, he said and called upon the DLSAs to expedite the cases and provide all data to the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA), of which he is the executive chairman.

Speaking as the chief guest, state's Education Minister Chowna Mein emphasised the need to educate all elected representatives for the success of DLSAs.

Pointing out that everyone of us including the judges have equal responsibility for bringing peace and tranquility in the society, the minister called for mass awareness on Lok Adalat at village level to benefit the innocent rural folk.

UNI