Legal luminaries discuss means to ensure speedy justice

Chandigarh, Jan 19 (UNI) Ways and means to bring down the pendency of criminal cases in Punjab were discussed by judges, police and civil authorities, District Attorneys, Forensic lab experts and legal luminaries in a workshop held here today.

Addressing the inaugural session, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Vijender Jain said that people's faith in dispensation of justice delivery system was eroded when there was delay in speedy disposal of cases.

He said the initiative taken by judicial system in Haryana has shown considerable results in reducing the pendency of old criminal cases.

Listing some more prominent reasons for the delay in discharging of justice, he said factors like non-production of witnesses, absconding accused, lacklustre approach of investigating officers, delay in forensic Lab reports, inadequate number of Judges, adjournment culture, contribute in delaying the successful termination of a trial.

''A witness after long gaps in the trial, cannot be expected to remember the sequence of events in correct manner, '' he said.

Today in this workshop all stake holders have joined their hands to resolve new methods and tools for efficent disposal of criminal cases and reduce the pendency of criminal cases in the Subordinate Courts in Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh, he added.

Lauding the role of Lok Adalats in this respect, Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and executive Chairman, Punjab Legal Services Authority said that Punjab State Legal Services Authority (PSLSA) has organised 4960 Lok Adalats of all kinds since 1991 till October 30 last year, in which 718692 cases were taken up and 414989 cases were mutually settled.

Mr NPS Aulakh, Director General of Punjab Police said that there was an urgent need to expedite the trial of criminal cases to keep the deterrent value of criminal law intact in the minds of criminals in particular and public in general.

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