I was struck by the recent remark from the Chief Justice of India: "Why don't you seek adjournment till I retire?" Why don't you seek adjournment till I retire, CJI asks government. This isn't just a question; it's a poignant expression of frustration that speaks volumes about the state of our judicial system and the delays that plague it. It echoes a sentiment I've grappled with for years regarding the pace of justice.
I remember articulating similar concerns back in 2017, in my blog titled 2019 : A Nightmare Year. In that piece, I was reflecting on the government's plan to set up special courts to try cases against MPs and MLAs. I imagined a scenario where these "Super Efficient" courts would have to dispose of an improbable number of cases daily, forcing them to "refuse to grant any 'Postponement Dates'". The humor was grim even then, highlighting the inherent impracticality of addressing systemic delays with mere caseload targets without fundamental reforms.
The core idea I wanted to convey then, and which feels incredibly validated now, is that expecting rapid disposal of cases without addressing the root causes of adjournments and delays is a fool's errand. The CJI's remark today brings that earlier insight into sharp relief. It's not about a lack of will from our esteemed judges, but often a deep-seated issue within the procedural mechanisms and sometimes, dare I say, the intentions of parties involved.
The government, regardless of who is in power – whether it's under Prime Minister Narendra Modi (n.modi@india.gov.in) or any other administration – consistently faces the challenge of judicial reform. My reflections have always been about finding practical, often cooperative, solutions to complex societal and governance problems. The sheer patience exhibited by our judiciary, day in and day out, in the face of persistent delays is often overlooked. But when a Chief Justice makes such a statement, it signals that even that extraordinary patience wears thin.
Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation for those earlier insights, and a renewed urgency to revisit how we can truly streamline our legal processes. It's a fundamental aspect of good governance and societal well-being. We need to move beyond merely setting up more courts or fast-tracking certain cases and delve into the structural and cultural factors that lead to these long, drawn-out legal battles. The pursuit of timely justice shouldn't feel like a lifetime's endeavor.
Regards, Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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