Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud highlighted the paramount challenge facing the Indian judiciary: the eradication of barriers to accessing justice and the transformation of the judicial system into an inclusive and accessible platform for every citizen.
Speaking at the Independence Day celebrations organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at the apex court lawns, CJI Chandrachud underscored the imperative of crafting a judicial system that is not only more accessible but also cost-effective for the people. He emphasized that harnessing the full potential of technology is essential to overcoming procedural impediments to justice, as reported by NDTV.
CJI Chandrachud also emphasized the significance of instilling confidence and assurance in individuals that the Supreme Court judges will stand by them in times of arbitrary arrest, unlawful property attachment, or threatened demolition, as conveyed by news agency PTI.
Looking toward the future, CJI Chandrachud articulated, “We have to enhance access to justice procedurally by eliminating the constraints which prevent citizens from approaching courts and substantively, by building confidence in the courts’ ability to dispense justice.” He further added that the roadmap is in place to ensure an inclusive and accessible Indian judiciary that caters to the needs of every individual.
In his address, CJI Chandrachud urged judges and lawyers to conduct themselves in a manner that fosters confidence in the independence and integrity of the legal process. He assured that he personally addresses complaints and concerns, urging lawyers not to resort to external channels to address grievances.
Reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the Red Fort, CJI Chandrachud mentioned the translation efforts undertaken by the apex court to make judgments available in Indian languages. Notably, 9,423 judgments have been translated into regional languages thus far.
During the Independence Day event, CJI Chandrachud revealed that over 19,000 cases were disposed of by the Supreme Court between March and June of the current year. The program also saw the presence of Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, other apex court judges, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and SCBA office bearers, including its president Adish C Aggarwala and secretary Rohit Pandey.