Essential Pillar of Justice: CJI Chandrachud Praises District Judiciary’s Role in Upholding Rule of Law
Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has emphasized the importance of the district judiciary, calling it the “backbone of the judiciary” and a crucial component of the rule of law. Speaking at the ‘National Conference of the District Judiciary,’ inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice Chandrachud highlighted that district courts are the first point of contact for citizens seeking justice and play a vital role in maintaining public confidence in the judicial system.
He noted the need to stop referring to the district judiciary as subordinate, urging the abandonment of the colonial mindset of subordination 75 years after independence. This call reflects the high responsibility placed on district judges, given their direct interaction with the public.
The CJI also highlighted technological advancements within the judiciary, noting that 46.48 crore pages of court records have been digitized and that district courts have handled 2.3 crore cases via video conferencing. Additionally, the e-courts project has computerized over 3,500 court complexes and 22,000 courtrooms.
Significant strides have been made in gender representation, with an increasing number of women joining the district judiciary. Citing examples, Chandrachud mentioned that women comprised 58% of civil judge recruits in Rajasthan in 2023, 66% of judicial officers appointed in Delhi the same year, and 54% of new civil judges in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. Furthermore, 72% of judicial officers in Kerala are women.
The two-day conference, organized by the Supreme Court, saw attendance from key figures, including Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Attorney General R Venkataramani. President Droupadi Murmu is set to deliver the valedictory address and unveil the Supreme Court’s flag and insignia on September 1.
This event underscores the crucial role of the district judiciary and ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen the judicial system, ensuring greater efficiency and inclusivity.
Original Story https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/district-judiciary-crucial-component-of-rule-of-law-cji-chandrachud-124083100287_1.html
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