Decide cases affecting human life on priority, J

Srinagar, June 22 (UNI) Concerned over the large number of cases pending in the Jammu and Kashmir courts, the Chief Justice of the state, Justice B A Khan has called upon the judiciary to ensure speedy and hassle-free justice to the litigant.

He asked the judicial officers to take up the cases regarding human life on priority with the cooperation of Bar members, adding that there is a need for ''attitudinal shift'' to clear the backlog of cases.

The judges were also asked to use conciliatory justice and alternate dispute resolution methodology to clear the backlog.

He said this would further enhance confidence of Justice seekers in the judicial system.

Justice Khan said this while addressing judicial officers and lawyers at court complexes Pampore, Pulwama and Shopian during his day-long tour conducted as a part of the campaign to have a ''feel of ground situation'' with regard to the availability of infrastructure and pace of disposal of cases.

During his inspection a large number of local people welcomed him. The Chief Justice said that reform in law by itself is of no utility unless the human sentiment is not involved in dispensation of justice and the reforms introduced do not develop capacity to understand and feel agony and pain of the justice seekers.

He said by adopting efficient management techniques, 20 per cent pendency has been cleared in the High Cout during last six months.

The judges at the lower courts were asked to formulate action plan for their respective courts and make every effort to at least clear 33 per cent of the pendency by the end of this year.

The judges of the subordinate courts were also impressed to clear all the civil cases pending for more than 10 years, criminal cases pending for more than 5 years by the end of 2006, Justice Khan added.

UNI BAS YA KP1440