Conference moots shift system in courts for speedy trial

Hyderabad, Jan 17 (UNI) In an effort to facilitate speedy trial in criminal courts and minimise pendency of cases in trial courts, the plenary conference of Law Ministers and Law Secretries today resolved to operate courts in more than one shift, wherever possible.

A resolution moved by Union Law and Justice Minister H R Bharadwaj and adopted by thumping of desks, State Law Ministers recommended that a time-bound plan be carried out to identify and fill up vacancies in district and subordinate courts.

The ministers promised to explore appointment of sufficient number of special judicial magistrates and special metropolitan magistrates to deal with the backlog of cases involving petty offences. They wanted full use of the concept of plea bargaining introduced in the code of criminal procedure through amendment in 2005.

Appreciating the Centre's initiative to bring in legislation to set up 'Gram Nyayalyas' to ensure speedy and inexpensive disposal of cases, the conference resolved for early enactment of the piece of legislation to facilitate 'Gram Nyayalayas', part of the subordinate judiciary.

A consensus was arrived for placing all acts on the website under a project jointly implemented by the Union and State Governments in consultation with the National Informatics Centre.

The Ministers deemed it necessary to organise training programmes for mediators and decided to build up mediation centres to provide training to mediators at the level of district and mandals in their respective states.

Recording with satisfaction the performance of fast track courts and their impact on clearing of backlog cases, the law ministers assured the Centre that funds utilisation certificate would be furnished on time by each state to facilitate timely disbursement of funds by the Centre.

Expressing disappointment over alleged ''inadequate'' Central assistance to states during the previous two fiscal years, the ministers recommended continuance of the Centrally-sponsored scheme for development of infrastructure facilities for the Judiciary.

They wanted realistic requirement-based approach for allocation of funds to states for building infrastructure for courts.

Law Ministers from 15 states and Law Secretaries from 28 states and union terrorities took part in the one-day conference.

UNI