After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu stressed on the importance of ensuring swift justice, especially in cases of rape.
Murmu underscored that pendency and backlog is a big challenge to the judiciary, highlighting the importance of ensuring fast-track justice in cases of atrocities against women.
Addressing the valedictory event of the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary, the President on Sunday, said, “When court decisions in cases like rape come only after a generation has passed, the common person feels that the justice process lacks sensitivity.”
President Murmu said that people in villages regard the judiciary as “divine” because they find justice there. “There is a saying — Bhagwan ke ghar der hai andher nahi (in God’s house, there may be a delay, but there is no injustice). But how long is the delay? How long can it be? We need to think about this,” she said.
“By the time someone gets justice, they or their family members might have lost all hopes and their smiles might have disappeared, even in some cases their lives might have ended. We should deeply reflect on this,” she added.
President’s remark comes following her statement denouncing the recent rape and murder case of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata.
Further in her address, President Murmu said all possible actions should be taken to change the “culture of adjournments” in courts to ensure swift justice.
“All possible efforts need to be made to change the culture of adjournments in courts,” she said.
Murmu said all judges of the country have the responsibility to protect justice.
She said common people’s stress level increases in courtroom settings, a phenomenon she coined as “Black Coat syndrome” and suggested it be studied.
She also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.
The event was attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the programme held at the Bharat Mandapam.
"It's a sad aspect of our social life that in some cases, well-off individuals continue to roam free even after committing crimes, while the victims live in fear. The situation for women is even worse, as society does not support them," she said.
The President also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.
The event was attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal. Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the programme held at the Bharat Mandapam.
Key takeaways
- Ensure swift justice, especially in cases of rape.
- Pendency and backlog is a big challenge to the judiciary.
- People feel that the justice process lacks sensitivity.
- Judges of the country have the responsibility to protect justice.
- Increased stress levels at courtrooms suggest ‘Black Coat syndrome’.
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