JKHC CJ calls for strengthening judicial accountability

Srinagar, June 25 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Bashir Ahmed Khan has called upon the lawyers to go for self-introspection and be responsive to their duties.

Addressing judicial officers and lawyers at various places in south Kashmir district of Ananatnag, he said the people at large have great faith in administration of justice and the judiciary fraternity need to revitalise and strengthen it further.

Justice Khan said even a finger of suspicion was to be taken seriously in case of judiciary as the institution was engaged in discharging the divine duty.

He asked the lawyers to be conscious to their duty, clients, courts and to the society at large and extend a helping hand in speedy disposal of pending cases.

The Chief Justice stressed the need for adopting new ways and methods and increase use of mediation and conciliation as the traditional ways of ad-judicatory justice were frustrating for the justice seekers.

He expressed concern over the lack of infrastructure and manpower in the courts, saying this was the major hurdle in speedy disposal of cases. Efforts were being made to fill up various posts in different Courts, Justice Khan said.

He said Jammu and Kashmir was the first state in the country to set up coordination committees between judiciary and the executive at various levels to iron out difficulties in clearance of development projects relating to judiciary.

Justice Khan said vigilance mechanism in judiciary has been proposed to be strengthened so that chances of mal-practices were excluded and indolent and vested elements weeded out.

He announced that complaint boxes would be installed in every court for the facility of general public. Anyone having grievances against the functioning of judiciary or any of the constituents would thus get an opportunity to put complaints in these boxes.

The Chief Justice said every complaint would be attended to properly and disciplinary action taken against errant officials.

He also stressed the need to encourage Lok Adalats for providing speedy justice to the needy and said once in a fortnight such Adalats be organised and parties persuaded to settle their disputes.

Justice Khan announced Rs 75,000 for developing infrastructure for the lawyers' chambers and library at the Anantnag District Court and Rs 25,000 for the library at the Bijbehara Court.

UNI AG VD BD1626