JOIN USPM Modi bats for use of local languages in courts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong pitch for use of local languages in courts, contending that it will increase the confidence of common citizens in the justice system and they will feel more connected to it.
He also appealed to chief ministers and chief justices of high courts to give priority to cases related to undertrial prisoners languishing in jails and release them, as per law, based on human sensitivities, while asserting that judicial reform is not merely a policy matter.
Speaking at the conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices, Modi said that people's right to judicial process will strengthen the use of local languages, which are being promoted in technical education also. Before him, Chief Justice of India N V Ramana also said the time has come to revisit the demand of introducing local languages in High Courts and take it to the logical conclusion. "The practice of law before the constitutional courts should be based on one's intelligence and understanding of the law and not proficiency in a language," he said.
Asserting that judicial reform is not merely a policy matter and human sensitivities are involved and they should be kept in the centre of all the deliberations, Modi said there are nearly 3.5 lakh undertrials in jail - mostly from poor or ordinary families - and appealed to all chief ministers and chief justices of high courts to prioritise their cases on bases of humanitarian sensibility and law.
"In every district, there is a committee headed by the District Judge, so that these cases can be reviewed and wherever possible, such prisoners may be released on bail. I would appeal to all Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts to give priority to these matters on the basis of humanitarian sensibility and law," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the government is working hard to reduce delays in justice delivery and efforts are being made to increase the judicial strength and improve the judicial infrastructure.
He said the government considers the possibilities of technology in the judicial system as an essential part of the Digital India mission and appealed to the chief ministers and chief justices of high courts to take it forward.
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