JUDICIAL REFORMS

NEW DELHI: Emphasising reforms in the judicial system by doing away with regressive colonial laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said the laws should be written in simple and regional languages so that even the poorest of poor can understand the legislation.

In a virtual address at the inaugural session of the All India Conference of Law Ministers and Secretaries on October 15, PM Modi said, “The country has repealed more than 1,500 old and irrelevant laws. Many of these laws existed since the period of slavery. More than 32,000 compliances have also been done away with to remove legal hurdles in the way of innovation and ease-of-living. These changes are not only for the convenience of the public, but are also very necessary according to the times.”

However, he said many archaic laws since the period of slavery are still in force in the states. “It is necessary to abolish the laws which are continuing since the time of slavery and make new laws according to the present time in this ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence,” the PM stressed.

He further said, “While making laws, our focus should be on the poorest of the poor so that they can understand the new legislation well. The language of law should not become a barrier for any citizen; every state should work for this also. For this, we will also need logistic and infrastructure support.”

“Academic system will also have to be made for the youth in the mother tongue. Law-related courses should be in the mother tongue. Let our laws be written in the simple and intuitive language. The digital library of important cases of the High Court and Supreme Court should be in the local language,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

Delay in justice, he said, is one of the biggest challenges faced by the citizens of India and our judiciary is working very seriously in this direction. The PM said, “We have to solve this problem together in this ‘Amrit Kaal’. Among many options is alternative dispute resolution which can be promoted at the state Government-level. Such a mechanism has been prevalent in the villages of India for a long time. They may be having their own ways and arrangements, but the approach is the same. We have to understand this system at the local level in the states and ensure how we can make it a part of the legal system.”

Saying that the first evening court in the country was started in Gujarat when he was the chief minister of the state, he said, “Most of the cases in the evening courts were less serious in nature. People also used to complete the judicial process by coming to these courts after completing their work. This not only saved their time, but the cases were heard speedily. More than nine lakh cases have been settled in Gujarat in the last few years due to evening courts.”

Talking of Lok Adalats, PM Modi said they have emerged as another means of speedy justice in the country. “Many states have done remarkably well in this regard. Lakhs of cases have been settled in the country over the last few years through Lok Adalats. These have also reduced the burden of the courts and ensured easy justice to the poor, especially the people living in the villages,” he emphasised.

PM Modi further said that technology has become an integral part of the judicial system in India. He said digital innovations in legal services like virtual hearing and e-filing are already launched in India and 5G services would further strengthen these technologies.

Stressing on speedy trial of cases, the Prime Minister said, “Sensitive justice system is an essential condition for a sound nation and a harmonious society. Therefore, I raised the issue of undertrials in the joint meeting of the Chief Justices of the High Courts. I urge all of you to do whatever can be done by the state governments for speedy trial of cases. State governments should also work with a humane approach regarding undertrial prisoners, so that our judicial system moves forward with a human ideal.”

The two-day conference was hosted by the Ministry of Law and Justice at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat. According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the objective of the conference was to provide a common forum for policymakers to discuss issues relating to the Indian legal and judicial system.