Expressing concern over the Indian legal system for having a reputation of being “expensive” and “prone to delays”, President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday attributed this to the use and abuse of the instrument of adjournments in the courts.
“The use and abuse of adjournments is often done by advocates who see adjournment as a tactic to slow down the proceedings, rather than a response to a genuine emergency,” the President said and observed that this tactic adds to the cost of justice for the litigants.
Delivering the 3rd Foundation Day lecture at the National law University, Odisha (NlUO) here, Kovind remarked that it would be “a travesty of our Republican ethics if a poor person does not get the same access to law as a rich person”. He went on to add that unfortunately, in practice, this is happening.
Calling upon the students of the university, who would be soon joining the lawyer community after completion of their courses, Kovind said that like the judicial system in the country has a responsibility, so does the lawyer community has a duty to assist the court in delivery of justice.
Appreciating the achievements of the students of this university established here in 2008, the President commended the socially-relevant course curriculum the university has adopted for its students drawn from across the country.
The President also stressed the need for enhancing the legal literacy and simplification of legal rules, saying these would go a long way in taking justice closer to the people. He also expressed happiness over the efforts made by some High Courts in translating their judgments into local languages for the benefit of common people.
The function was attended, among others, by Chief Justice of India Justice Dipak Misra, State Governor Dr SC Jamir, Orissa High Court Chief Justice Vineet Saran, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.