Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 28: An idea to form a ‘National Litigation Assembly’ has been mooted here at a National Seminar held at Andaman Law College by Mr Praveen Patel, National Convener for Forum for Fast Justice, an NGO advocating judicial reforms to mitigate pendency of cases in the country. The plight of litigants owing to inordinate delay in the legal process, resulting in loss of confidence in the judicial system itself, which can be dangerous for the democratic fabric.
Participating in the seminar, noted academician and vice chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, Prof. Faizan Mustafa, pointed out. Participated as chief guest through online that an expansive interpretation of ‘crime’ in the criminal justice system will lead to the normalization of injustice in the society, leading to unwanted respect for criminality. The concept of justice itself is evolving, and questions of jurisprudence and constitutionality are on the rise, as he pointed out.
Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Forum for Fast Justice Mr Bhagavanji Raiyani, in his address, urged that civil society should raise their concern towards mitigating the pendency of cases in the courts. Allocation of budget is too poor to meet the ever-increasing demand, he said. Pendency is around five crore cases before various courts, and the share of the Supreme Court of India stands at 82,000 cases as of November.
Principal Dr. P.V. Nagendra Sarma, in his inaugural address, emphasized that it is high time for the government to take measures to mitigate the pendency through more financial allocation for infrastructure, technological innovation, etc. Superintendent of Police, South Andaman Mr Manoj Kumar Meena urged the law students to engage in research to understand the causes behind the pendency of criminal cases, especially in the Islands. Additional District Judge of Sri Vijaya Puram Mr. Neyaz Alam shared his observations as a judicial officer. The event started with the ceremonial lighting of lamps by the guests.
Souvenirs were distributed among the participants. Students from various colleges, including law students and NGO functionaries, attended in good number, making the hall packed to capacity. Ms Nisha Sikdar, Assistant Prof. in English, coordinated the event along with Mr Asif Belal Ansari Assistant Prof in Law. Convener Forum for Fast Justice A & N Islands Mr Rasheed Yusoof and Ms Mariyam Bibi proposed a vote of thanks. Mr Rasheed Yusoof announced that one free legal aid clinic will start functioning at his office (Opp. Aggarawal Eye Hospital), RGT Road, to render service to the needy.
