Challenges for judiciary rising : Antony

Kochi, Nov 23 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today said challenges for the judiciary were mounting as efforts to bend law in one's favour were prevalent in various fields.

Addressing a gathering at a camp organised by the Indian Lawyers' Congress here, Mr Antony noted that ''the ruling and the opposition parties had the responsibility to clamp down on forces which were working against the interests of the judiciary.'' He urged the Lawyers' Congress to assure that the common man was not denied justice and to expedite the process of providing justice to aggrieved parties.

Mr Antony said measures were being taken to increase the number of Supreme Court and High Court judges, considering the huge backlog of cases in various courts.

Justice Fatima Beevi, former Advocate General M Ratna Singh, Indian Lawyers' Congress President T P M Ibrahim Khan, among others were present on the occasion.

UNI MA ROY RP RN1523