RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov.26: Former Supreme Court judge Indira Banerjee expressed her concern over poor implementation of directive principles of state policy in the country while addressing the inaugural session of two-day regional conference on ‘Contemporary Judicial Developments and Strengthening Justice Through Law and Technology’ at Judicial Academy in the Jharkhand capital.
She said justice has not been defined anywhere, including the Constitution of India. However, she said, there is some mention of this in the preamble of the constitution which talks about social, economical and political justice besides liberty of thought, speech and expression, equality of status of opportunity and fraternity promoting among all Indians unity and integrity of the nation.
Earlier, Justice S Chandrashekhar of the Jharkhand High Court introduced the subject and welcomed the judges and judicial officers participating in the conclave, organised by National Judicial Academy, Bhopal in collaboration with the Jharkhand High Court and Jharkhand Judicial Academy.
She dwelt on Article 21 and vast expansion of its scope saying that now it included all human rights, including right to shelter, clean environment and speedy trial.
She said that there is a gap between those who administer the law, those who enact law and those who are in need of law and thus asked judges to render justice on time with due attention to quality and expense. “Delivering judgement after the death of a person is of no use,” she commented.
Talking about use of technology in delivering justice, she said that during the corona pandemic justice system worked online, which brought in several advantages. She said hybrid systems of hearing can save clients’ money and enable an advocate to appear on time in case he or she has stuck somewhere.
She, on the occasion, mentioned the Shah Bano case and talked about gender equality. She also expressed her willingness for a judicial environment where people can get justice irrespective of his gender, caste, creed and community.
The two-day conclave will witness discussion on various issues, including Right to freedom and Speech, Judiciary and media, developing contours of basil jurisprudence, ED’s power of detention, judicial governance vis a vis artificial intelligence, latest development in technology: crypto currency among others.
