Chief Justice expresses concern over pending cases

Bangalore, Nov 4 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over increasing number of pending cases in various courts in the country, Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal today exhorted the Executive and Legislature wings to seriously deliberate over it and find a solution.

Addressing the gathering at the 13th Karnataka State Level Conference of the Judicial officers on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee year of the Karnataka High Court here today, he said the judiciary alone could not be blamed for the delay in justice. ''Both Executive and Legislature are also equally responsible for it and they also have to deliberate on the matter seriously to address the issue'' he said.

Justice Sabharwal said though judicial officers, especially at the sub-ordinate courts faced inadequate facilities, they still discharge their duties in rendering justice. While complementing them for having cleared over 93000 cases of civil nature and 129000 cases of criminal nature against the target of 78000 and 124000 respectively, the Chief Justice said the number showed that Judiciary was not responsible for the pending of such a large number of cases. The total number of pending cases in Karnataka with various districts and other sub-ordinate courts stood at 1086000 cases in July this year was brought down to 1006000 cases. However, with this achievement the judicial officers should not become complescent and strive hard in their endevour, he said.

Calling upon the judicial officers to make use of the state and national judicial acadamies set up with an intention to improve their skill and knowledge, Justice Sabharwal wished at least once in three years all the judicial officers would get an opportunity to go through an orientation programme and sharpen their abilities in delivering the justice.

Justice Sabharwal said the society had conferred a lot of faith on the Judiciary and officers should raise to the occasion to meet their aspiration. ''The society sees the service of judicial officers as the work of god almighty and one should keep this fact in retaining the public's perception'' he said.

The Chief Justice said with the advancement of Information technology the press and electronic media were focussing more on the cases which come before the courts and advised the judicial officers not to go by the public opinion created by these medias and stick seriously on the merits, evidences and facts of the cases presented before them. The judicial officers should possess all qualities that requires to sit on the seat of delivering justice, he said.

Referring to the theme of 'Justic for all - Real and Speedy' by the Karnataka High Court, the Chief Justice remarked the classes of 'All' should also include those who were vulnerable in the society including women, marginalised scheduled caste, tribes and farmers, children in real sense in giving access to the judicial process.

Referring to certain elements which were indulged in bringing bad name to the highly acclaimed judicial system in the country, Chief Justice exhorted the judicial officers to bring to the notice of higher-ups about the 'Black sheeps' in the overall interest of the administration of real justice.

UNI MV VK MS KP1621