''Discourage frivolous cases filed under the guise of PILs''

Kochi, Jan 15 (PTI) Public Interest Litigations (PIL)sshould not be used to settle political scores, Union ministerof Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi today said.

"Public Interest Litigations should not be used to settlepolitical scores and judges and lawyers should discouragefrivolous cases being filed under the guise of PILs," Ravisaid in his convocation address at the National University ofAdvanced Legal Studies.

Describing the judiciary as one of the most importantpillars of Indian democracy which has withstood the test oftime, Ravi expressed concern over the conduct of some personsin the legal profession and the courts.

"The conduct of certain persons in the legal professionand courts has become a cause of concern recently. Even theSupreme Court is seized of this matter and has madeobservations in this regard, which we all must heed to verycarefully," he said.

Pointing that delivery of justice in India has come understress due to the large number of pending cases in courts, hesaid the government has taken steps to ensure thatinfrastructure in courts is put in place within a definitetimeframe.

The minister said the Indian judiciary is known for itsindependence, integrity and professional ethics.

"The Constitution provides certain safeguards for thejudiciary so that it can protect citizens and can always actimpartially without the fear of favour," he said

On accessibility of the judicial system for the poor, hestressed the need to produce a new generation of capable younglawyers in large numbers to provide high-quality legalservices at reasonable cost to the common man.