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Synopsis

The Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, while speaking at the 18th “All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet” today remarked that if lawyers charge Rs.10-15 lakhs per hearing, the common man will not be able to afford them. Rijiju made the above remark in the context of access to justice.

Speaking further about access to justice, he said that affluent people can afford good lawyers, however, many lawyers are unaffordable for the common man. Rijiju emphasized that courts must be affordable to all.

Regional language in High Courts and lower courts:

The union minister also mooted the use of regional and local languages in proceedings at lower and high courts. Rijiju said that mother tongue should not be considered inferior to English while asserting that he does not believe that a lawyer should get more respect, cases, or fees only because he is good at conversing in English.

Rijiju said that while arguments and judgments in Supreme Court happen in English, he envisions that in high courts and lower courts, regional and local languages need to be given priority. 

Moreover, he added that close to 71 Acts will be repealed during the Parliament session starting on July 18, 2022.

Speaking of the rising number of pendency of cases in the country, he said that the pendency can be reduced only with coordination between the judiciary and the government.

Release of undertrial prisoners:

Rijiju urged the State Legal Services Authorities to put in maximum efforts so that many undertrial prisoners can be released by August 15, 2022, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

While expressing concern over the large number of undetrial prisoners, the minister said that there are 3.5 lakh prisoners in every district and there is a review committee under the leadership of District judges.

Rijiju urged the High Court Chief Justices to take a proactive role in impressing upon the District Judges to release as many undertrials as possible. He further said that the Government of India has decided to give a special remission to prisoners and guidelines have been framed in this regard. The minister also urged the undertrial review committees to act more proactively and help maximum.