CJI Against 'Undue' Haste In Dispensing Justice

New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) India's Chief Justice has advocated more judges, more courtrooms and double shift courts-- but cautioned against ''undue haste'' in dispensing justice.

Delivering Justice Sobhag Mal Jain Memorial Lecture on Delayed Justice on Tuesday, Justice Y K Sabharwal acknowledged delays and aging backlogs.

The tone was set by Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Kokje who was emphatic that ''delay defeats justice.'' A former Judge, Governor Kokje cited the near absence of adequate compensation to victims and wondered if it's ''justice at all.'' Many a times, he said, a winner is really a loser considering the costs and years spent in courts.

Supreme Court Bar Association President M N Krishnamani, in introductory remarks, criticised outright dismissal of a bulk of matters filed before the apex Court, calling it just ''quantitative'' justice.

A Senior Advocate, Krishnamani also criticised long adjournments, pointing out that it made little sense to adjourn a matter for a year because someone is a bit indisposed. Such practices contribute to delays, he said.

Justice Sabharwal acknowledged Courts' obligation to deliver 'prompt and inexpensive' justice to those who suffer physically, mentally or economically and seek redressal without taking law into their own hands.

He recounted judges' role in enlarging and enforcing human rights and handling Public Interest Litigation, saying it brought courts ''closer to the oppressed and weaker sections of the society.'' More UNI MJ PR VA DS1145