Present in the program Chief Justice of India, Shri D.Y. Chandrachud ji, Justice Shri Sanjiv Khanna ji, Justice B.R. Gavai ji, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal ji, Attorney General R. Venkataramani ji, Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar Council, Shri Kapil Sibal ji, Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Shri Manan Kumar Mishra ji, all judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices of High Courts, district judges, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen!
Your serious demeanour makes me feel that this ceremony is quite solemn. Just a few days ago, I attended the Platinum Jubilee Ceremony of the Rajasthan High Court. And today, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court's journey, there is a National Conference of the District Judiciary happening. The 75 years of the Supreme Court are not just the journey of an institution; it is a journey of the Indian Constitution and constitutional values! It is the journey of Bharat maturing as a democracy! And the contributions of our Constitution makers and many eminent personalities of the judiciary have been of great significance in this journey. This journey also includes the contribution of millions of citizens who, in every circumstance, kept their faith unwavering in the judiciary. The people of Bharat have never doubted the Supreme Court, or our judiciary. Therefore, these 75 years of the Supreme Court further enhance Bharat’s pride as the Mother of Democracy. It strengthens our cultural proclamation which says, "Satyameva Jayate, Nanritam" (Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood). As the nation celebrates 75 years of independence, it is about to mark the 75th anniversary of the Constitution. Therefore, there is pride, glory, and inspiration in this moment. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all jurists and the entire nation on this occasion. I also extend my best wishes to the National District Judiciary Conference which is being held at this time.
Friends,
In our democracy, the judiciary is considered the custodian of the Constitution. This in itself is a very significant responsibility. We can proudly say that the Supreme Court and our judiciary have made efforts to fulfill this responsibility well. After independence, the judiciary protected the spirit of justice, even during the dark period of Emergency. At that time, the judiciary played an essential role in safeguarding the Constitution. The Supreme Court also protected fundamental rights when they were attacked. Moreover, whenever the question of national security arose, the judiciary upheld national interest above all and protected Bharat’s unity. Amidst all these achievements, I congratulate all the scholars for these memorable 75 years.
Friends,
In the past 10 years, the country has made several efforts to make justice accessible. Work is being done at a mission level for the modernization of courts, in which the collaboration of the Supreme Court and the judiciary has been significant. Today, this event of the District Judiciary is another example of the same effort. Earlier, it was mentioned here that the Supreme Court and the Gujarat High Court jointly organized the "All India District Court Judges Conference." Such events are very crucial for the ease of justice. I have been informed that over the next two days, several important issues will be discussed here, such as the management of pending cases, human resources, and the improvement of the legal fraternity. You have selected all the necessary topics for discussion. I am pleased that, alongside all these, a session on Judicial Wellness will also be held over the next two days. Personal wellness is the foremost requirement for social well-being. This will help us prioritize health in our work culture.
Friends,
We all know that in this Amrit Kaal of independence, the dream of 140 crore Indians is a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and a ‘Naya Bharat’ (New India)! Naya Bharat means a modern Bharat with thought and resolution! Our judiciary is a strong pillar of this vision, especially our District Judiciary. The District Judiciary is the foundation of the Indian judicial system. The common citizen of the country first knocks on your doors for justice. Therefore, it is the first centre of justice, the first step. Making it fully capable and modern is a priority for the country. I am confident that this national conference, with its discussions, will help meet the expectations of the nation.
Friends,
If there is any meaningful parameter for the development of any country, it is the standard of living of the common person. The standard of living of the common person is determined by their ease of living. And simple, accessible justice is an essential condition for ease of living. This will only be possible when our district courts are equipped with modern infrastructure and technology. We all know that today, around 4.5 crore cases are pending in district courts. Several efforts have been made over the past decade to eliminate this delay in justice. Over the last 10 years, the country has spent nearly 8,000 crore rupees on the development of judicial infrastructure. You will also be pleased to know that 75 percent of the amount spent on judicial infrastructure over the past 25 years has been spent in the last 10 years. In these 10 years alone, over 7,500 court halls and 11,000 residential units have been prepared for the District Judiciary.
Friends,
Whenever I come among the legal fraternity, the topic of e-courts naturally comes up. This technological intervention/innovation has not only accelerated judicial processes but also rapidly reduced the troubles faced by everyone from lawyers to litigants. Today, courts across the country are being digitized. And as I mentioned, the Supreme Court's e-Committee is playing a crucial role in all these efforts.
Friends,
Last year, the third phase of the e-Courts project was also approved. We are moving towards creating a unified technology platform. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Optical Character Recognition will be used under this. We will be able to analyze pending cases and even predict future litigations. Technology will integrate police, forensics, jails, and courts, and will speed up their work as well. We are moving towards a justice system that will be fully future-ready.
Friends,
You know that in a significant change, along with infrastructure and technology, rules, policies, and intent also play a role. Therefore, after seven decades of independence, the country has made such a significant and crucial change in our legal framework for the first time. We have received a new Indian legal code in the form of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The spirit of these laws is ‘Citizen First, Dignity First, and Justice First’. Our criminal laws have been freed from the colonial mindset of rulers and subjects. British laws like sedition have been abolished. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is not only about punishing citizens but also about providing security to citizens. That is why, on one hand, strict laws have been made against crimes against women and children, and on the other hand, community service has been provisioned as a punishment for minor offenses for the first time. Under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, electronic and digital records are now recognized as evidence. Summons can now be sent electronically under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. This will also reduce the burden of pending cases on the judiciary. I urge that new initiatives should be taken to train the district judiciary in this new system under the guidance of the Supreme Court. Our judges and lawyer colleagues can also be part of this campaign. Lawyers and Bar Associations also have a crucial role in familiarizing the public with this new system.
Friends,
I want to raise another burning issue facing the country and society. Today, atrocities against women and the safety of children are serious concerns of society. Several strict laws have been enacted in the country for the safety of women. In 2019, the government proposed the establishment of fast-track special courts. Under this, there is a provision for deposition centres for key witnesses. District Monitoring Committees can play a significant role in this as well. This committee includes the district judge, DM, and SP. Their role is crucial in coordinating between the different aspects of the Criminal Justice System. We need to make these committees more active. The faster decisions are made in cases related to atrocities against women, the more confidence the half of the population will have in their safety.
Friends,
I believe that the discussions here will yield valuable solutions for the country, and the path to 'Justice to all' will be strengthened. Once again, I extend my best wishes to all of you for this sacred ceremony and gathering, with the hope that this deliberation will yield the nectar of wisdom.
Thank you very much.
