Administration of justice also involves promoting and creating awareness about rights and facilitating social justice: CJI NV Ramana

Chief Justice of India, Justice NV Ramana has remarked that administration of justice is not an act which is accomplished only within the courtrooms, but it also involves promoting and creating awareness about rights and facilitating social justice, it means creating a platform where parties can claim competing rights.

Speaking at the 18th All India Legal Services Meet held at Jaipur, CJI Ramana said that only when equal access and participation is ensured in the justice delivery system, the faith and trust of all shall be won.

"A single violation of a right, or a single case, can spiral into graver consequences quickly. An unlawful eviction may not only lead to loss of shelter, it may also lead to loss of livelihood which may result in lack of access to food or healthcare. Without state intervention in such circumstances through legal aid, violators will never be held accountable, and injustice shall prevail...", he added.

Appreciating the work done by NALSA, he said, "I will not be surprised if NALSA becomes the largest service provider in our country".

Discussing the two different initiatives launched for the benefit of the prisoners, Justice Ramana said that the new initiatives under the E-prisons portal are a step towards transparency and expediency, keeping the interests of the prisoner at the core.

Now, all relevant information regarding an inmate, such as the details of their incarceration and pending court cases, are just a click away, he added.

Appreciating the e-Mulakat initiative, CJI said that prolonged separation from family and society can have a detrimental impact on the mental health and socialisation of an inmate and through this initiative, the families and well-wishers of inmates can be in constant touch with them with ease.

On the launch of the New Legal Aid cases Management portal & Mobile app he remarked that this would be of great assistance to the legal aid beneficiary, as they will be sharing a common platform with the legal aid lawyer.

This app will not only increase the efficiency of case management, but will also lead to accountability and transparency as to the handling of the case, he added.

While concluding, CJI also referred to the issue of pendency as raised by Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, and said,

"I have been repeatedly highlighting two problems that the judiciary is encountering. Judicial vacancies and judicial infrastructure. I hope the Government expedites the process of filling up of judicial vacancies. NALSA, as you all are aware and as is widely acknowledged, is a highly successful model. In similar lines, I had proposed creation of independent authorities for development of judicial infrastructure both at national and state level. Unfortunately it did not take off. I hope the Government of India revisits the proposal.."