An Independent Judiciary Is Responsible For Rule Of Law, Extremely Important To Meet Its Needs And Requirements: Justice Surya Kant

While speaking at the inauguration of various infrastructure and technological projects at the Gujarat High Court on Saturday (December 7) Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant emphasized that since the responsibility of rule of law lies on the "independent organ of judiciary", its needs, requirements must be met supplemented with a vision of its development.Elucidating on the judiciary's role, Justice Kant said, "When we visualize the position of the nation, we must also understand that judiciary is a very important stakeholder in this development and probably a country would want to progress and reach the highest position, the nation believes and firmly believes that rule of law and good governance are the two components which will take it to those great heights. The responsibility of the rule of law lies on the Constitutional independent organ of the judiciary. And therefore, the requirements of the judiciary, taking care of those needs also having vision for the development of judiciary, providing all the requirements to the judicial system so that we can create predictability, we can create the confidence among the investors when we talk of the foreign direct investment, is extremely important”.He further added,“There is a, I would say a unfounded feeling is being created in certain jurisdictions that in India if you are entangled in a litigation, your matter will never be decided and this kind of unpredictability, it (is) confusing version about our system becomes discouraging, demoralizing factor with respect to those who really want to become partners in the development of the county. I often keep on going to different countries and in recent times, at least I have been to seven or eight jurisdictions.This is the question which is being asked to us and people start confronting us that is 'it correct that Indian Judicial is taking that much time'".The judge said that there has been remarkable development–particularly in the matter of commercial litigation and pan India–wherein all the High Courts have really taken revolutionary, extraordinary and very visionary steps to ensure that there is a time line, predictability and these matters are decided in priority basis. This, he said, is would be our befitting answer to those who really want to become stake holders in our development.Judiciary depends on government for budgetary support, required in all states to face challenges Emphasizing on support for the judiciary for development of infrastructure the judge said, "For that, therefore, the judiciary which does not have its own budgetary provision allocation will have to entirely depend on the executive and I am extremely happy to see that the State of Gujarat is one government, which as the Hon'ble Chief Justice shared with me and the Chief Minister also very happily told that as and when the demands come in the High Court they never say no and they extend their helping hand for the development of types of infrastructure. That is what is required not only in one state but throughout the India so that the judiciary can accept the day to day and future challenges that its likely to face". The event also marked the unveiling of various facilities, including the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed 21 courtroom building, an additional administrative building, I.T. Cell, recreation centres for the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, technological initiatives like 'eGujHC' Vision Document Version 1.0' and release of the 'Nyay Setu' Newsletter. The event was attended by various dignitaries including the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, Minister of Law & Justice (Cabinet) for State of Gujarat Rushikesh Patel, judges of the High Court, former judges as well as members of the bar. On infusion of Technology to aid judicial infrastructureJustice Kant then emphasized on the transformative impact of technology on the judiciary, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that India was among the few countries where courts remained operational through virtual hearings."That has really strengthened, has created an infusion, a confidence amongst our judicial system that technology can really do a wonder not only in terms of dismantling and eliminating the geographical boundaries, geographical distances and that's why a person while sitting in Ahmedabad or sitting in Chennai, Calcutta or North East can argue the matter before the Supreme Court and its happening every day before us...I am extremely happy and delighted to see that Gujarat High Court has taken a leap forward and necessary steps for infusion of technology in day-to-day functioning.Today, everything is in public domain, as the Chief Justice shared with me, you click a button and you find how many cases are pending in the High Court of Gujarat; how may cases are part-heard; how many cases are heard, (in how many cases) the judgments are awaiting; what is happening in the District Court; which Family Court ...

An Independent Judiciary Is Responsible For Rule Of Law, Extremely Important To Meet Its Needs And Requirements: Justice Surya Kant

Lovina B Thakkar

Tags