Mangalore, Feb 8: Speedy disposal of cases and access to justice are the fundamental rights of citizens, which should not be denied to them. Advocates should understand the problems of the common man and help them, said administrative judge of Dakshina Kannada district Justice K Bhakthavatsala.
Speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed district court complex at Court Hill in the city on Saturday, he said that the number of cases had increased in recent times, as population had increased and legal awareness among people had risen. However, few cases still do not come to court as people hesitate to file a case, he said.
He said that the general public should support the police in solving crimes, by disposing in the court against persons who have committed a crime. It is the duty of a common man to speak the truth if he has witnessed a crime. But, witnesses turn hostile during trial and cases are acquitted, and the criminals go scot-free in the end. The system will fail if the public do not speak out, he said, wishing that the new building would help serve justice to citizens.
Addressing the gathering, district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai issued stern warnings to rumour mongers who tried to disrupt the harmony and flare communal violence in the district. “The law exists to protect our rights and interests; no person can rise above the law. Rumour mongers are national enemies. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in spreading rumours to propagate communal hatred,” he warned, adding that everyone should join hands to protect harmony in the society.
It is people who must control the situation by controlling false rumours from spreading, he stressed.
Speaking on the occasion, high court judge Justice S Abdul Nazeer said that the two challenges faced by the judiciary were docket explosion and docket exclusion.
Both are major concerns as India is the biggest democracy with thousands of court cases pending before different courts. The co-operation of advocates is necessary to dispose cases speedily, as courts cannot function without them. Few citizens suffer in silence as they do not have literacy and financial backing to pursue court cases, he said.
“We should not allow our citizens to suffer in silence,” he added.
Health Minister U T Khader said that people should work together to help the judiciary to function efficiently by solving minor disputes among themselves and cutting down cases in court.
MLC Monappa Bhandary and Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo also spoke on the occasion. DK Principal District and Sessions Judge B V Prakash welcomed the gathering. Mangalore Bar Association president P Ashok Ariga proposed a vote of thanks.
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