Speedy justice at people's doorsteps! So says our Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. The same story has been told by our leaders in the past but nothing materialised so far. People are seen slogging in and out of courts with cases being adjourned on flimsy grounds like non-availability of witnesses, delay in producing documents, absence of advocates, present lawyers-judiciary tussle.
A number of commissions were instituted to give recommendations regarding streamlining judiciary but their reports are safely stored in cold storages. We need reforms at the sessions level on issues that cause delay in dispensation of justice. Right now a judge at the district level normally deals with 60 to 65 cases a day as seen from the list displayed outside the court. With six and a half hours working time he can allocate six minutes to a case if he has to dispose off all cases.
In reality 40 cases are adjourned for next hearing date. For the remainder he has to sort out cases for recording evidence, discussions and giving verdicts. From the point of view of time due justice cannot be exercised.
THE FOLLOWING NEED TO BE ADDRESSED:-
Recruitment of additional judges at the district level so as to reduce the work load on judges. Streamlining procedural delay and cutting down adjournments on minor issues. Ensuring presence of lawyers, witnesses and documents at the hearing dates. Devising a system within the judiciary to examine criminal and civil suits to assess suitability if the case is fit for trial. It will reduce the number of cases.
The system of reporting by the trial judges to the district and sessions judges on a bi-weekly basis. Our Law Minister promised of evening courts. Nothing has come out of this promise and people feel that such courts could become beneficial for the litigants. Legal Aid System needs to be strongly activated to help the poor who cannot afford exorbitant fees of lawyers. For this things look hazy!
Comments
Comments are closed.