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Synopsis

In a momentous address delivered on September 1, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the Supreme Court of India’s significant role over the past 75 years during the valedictory session of the National Conference of the District Judiciary, organized by the Supreme Court itself.

This two-day conference, which brought together judicial officers from across the nation, also marked the unveiling of a new flag and insignia for the Supreme Court.

President Murmu began by extolling the Supreme Court’s exemplary role as the guardian of justice in the world’s largest democracy. "In the last 75 years since its inception, the Supreme Court of India has made an exemplary contribution as the watchdog of the justice system," she stated.

She expressed appreciation for the court’s role in upholding the jurisprudence of India and welcomed the new flag and insignia, which bear the Court’s motto—  a phrase from the Mahabharata meaning "Where there is Dharma, there is victory."

The President emphasized that the Supreme Court’s mission is to ensure justice prevails, reflecting its motto and the broader judicial process in India. She praised the court’s efforts to enhance public trust through various programs organized in its 75th year, and commended the leadership of the Chief Justice of India for these initiatives.

President Murmu also referenced the literary work of Munshi Premchand, specifically the story "Parameshwar," to underline the moral responsibilities of judges. She highlighted that Premchand’s narrative advocates for impartiality and truth in justice, reinforcing the judiciary’s moral obligation to uphold these principles.

"Munshi Premchand wants to say that the judge should develop the highest capacity of impartiality while dispensing justice. Every judge of our country, every judicial officer has a moral responsibility to uphold truth, religion and justice. This moral responsibility at the level of the public is the divine pillar of the judiciary...A pure and intelligent conscience to separate the wheat from the chaff is expected from all of you." the President said.

Addressing the attendees, President Murmu expressed satisfaction with recent efforts such as the special Lok Adalat weeks held from July 29 to August 3. She proposed that similar events be held every few months to manage the growing backlog of cases effectively. "We have so much pendency; perhaps by doing this, we can gradually address such problems," she suggested.

The President pointed out that district-level courts significantly shape the public’s perception of the judiciary. She urged for continued progress in the judiciary’s infrastructure, training, and human resources, acknowledging the recent increase in female judicial officers. She advocated for a prejudice-free approach towards women within the judiciary and stressed the importance of solving issues related to evidence and witness management through coordinated efforts.

President Murmu also addressed concerns about children of incarcerated mothers and juvenile offenders, calling for improved support systems for their health, education, and legal aid.

"Assessment and improvement on this subject should be our priority. Juvenile criminals are also in the initial stages of their lives. Taking measures to improve their thinking and human education health, providing them skills for living and providing them free legal aid should also be our priority," she said.

She also expressed empathy for the poor, who often find themselves burdened by the judicial process and stressed the need to alleviate their financial and mental stress.

"He tolerates the experiment and injustice silently because he feels that fighting for justice can make his life more painful. For him, going to the court far away from the village once becomes the cause of a huge mental and financial burden. In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the cost that poor people incur due to giving dates again and again, i.e. culture of adjournment. Every possible effort should be made to change this situation," the President said.

Further, highlighting the delay in justice, President Murmu used the term "black coat syndrome" to describe the anxiety experienced by ordinary citizens in court settings. She emphasized the need for timely justice, citing the Supreme Court's recent provision for bail under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as a positive step.

In conclusion, President Murmu reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s commitment to making justice accessible to all citizens and expressed hope that the conference would inspire further advancements in the judicial system. "May this resolve to make justice accessible be fulfilled," she concluded with "Jai Hind, Jai Bharat."