In CMs-CJs meet, Prime Minister bats for use of local languages in courts , widening of mediation process
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of high courts to speed-up the delivery of justice to 3.5 lakh undertrials languishing in jails and increase the mediation process to decrease the burden on judiciary. Modi also suggested the increased use of local languages and simplification of legal process which would help the common man to understand the process and use of technology more.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices. The annual conference, which is also attended by Law Ministers, is happening after six years.
“We have to keep human sensibility at the core of decision making. We still have 3.5 lakh undertrials. Most of them are poor and these cases have to be decided by district judges so that they can be released on bail whenever possible. I urge all Chief Ministers and Chief Justices on the basis of humanitarian law to give urgency to the case of undertrials and also look at the long pending cases and if it can be solved through mediation,” said Modi.
The Prime Minister also urged the Chief Ministers to abolish archaic laws and cited how the Centre went about it. “We repealed 1,450 Central laws. But from States only 75 laws were repealed. I am requesting Chief Ministers to unclog the web of dated laws,” he said, assuring the judiciary the cooperation of the Government in filling the vacancies in all levels of courts.
Modi also urged the widening of the mediation process to decrease the burden on judiciary. Seeking coordination from Chief Ministers and Chief Justices in this regard, he said, “As the Chief Justice mentioned, I also congratulate Justice UU Lalit for convening several mediations across the country, that too during Covid period.”
Modi said that Central Government has formed a committee to examine simplifying laws and statutes so that it can be understood by a layperson. The committee is looking into making legislations in two formats — one in typical legal language and the other in simple language which can be understood by ordinary people. He said it is in practice in various countries and both the formats are considered as legally acceptable.
Stressing the usage of local language and simplification of legal jargon in court proceedings for the better understanding of the common man, the PM said, “All proceedings in HCs and SC are in English. Today the CJI has clarified this subject and the media will get a good story for tomorrow. The entire process of justice is difficult to be grasped by the common man. We have to make local languages a part of the local courts. People will have more faith in India’s legal system. We are thinking why technical and medical education cannot be in Indian language?
Even a village-born can access this education then and this is also social justice and language plays an important role in this.”
Earlier, Chief Justice NV Ramana explained the need of usage of English language in High Court proceedings. “Chief Justices and many judges are appointed from outside the State. Some years ago Tamil Nadu sought local language in the High Court,” he said. Article 348 of the Constitution of India insists on the usage of English in High Courts and the Supreme Court proceedings.
The Prime Minister assured cooperation on the infrastructure development of Courts and emphasized on the need of use of more technology in judiciary. “The scope of technology has expanded in the judiciary and that e-courts are being implemented on a mission mode. The Executive is trying to increase judicial strength and improve judicial infrastructure,” he said.