If Justice Gets Delayed, It’s A Big Question Mark On All Of Us | Law Minister Kiren Rijiju On Legal Reforms

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday attended the Bar Council of India’s felicitation event for Chief Justice NV Ramana where he stressed that India’s judicial system needs to give priority to common man. Law Minister quoted:

Justice delayed is justice denied.

At the event, he also showered praise on Chief Justice Ramana, underlining that he will “create a new dawn for the judiciary”.

49-year-old law minister took charge of the ministry in July this year, after a huge cabinet reshuffle. Speaking on the issue of pending court cases in the country at the event, Rijiju said,

People keep raising the issue of cases pending in courts. It’s the lower courts where we need to look at with urgency. When a person of a humble background or from a rural area looks up to get justice, he gives it his all. Sometimes he even has to sell off his land and other assets.

Adding further, he said,

Then if the justice gets delayed, it’s a big question mark on all of us. Justice delayed is justice denied. The last-mile-man…the common man needs to be given priority.

Praising Chief Justice Ramana, the Law Minister then said,

The Chief Justice of India is doing exactly what needs to be done.

Chief Justice Ramana added his bit at the event and quoted:

Law has often been seen as a rich man’ profession. Slowly the situation is changing. Opportunities are opening up. Lakhs of people in India are unable to approach courts. Lack of money and time delays are a big challenge.

Recalling his first meeting with the current CJI, the law minister said,

When I met Chief Justice Ramana for the first time, I did not know him well. I had heard about him from (a) friend and media. He has proven to be a person of high integrity who will create a new dawn for the judiciary.

After Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Chief Justice is a “good human being and a good judge,” Mr Rijiu said in jest,

I agree with all that has already been said in his honour. If I try to add or do anything more now… it will lead to a disaster.

Assurance by Law Minister

The Law Minister also assured at the event that the government will try to help “by taking all appropriate measures” as lawyers raised grievances about financial issues amid the pandemic. The law minister assured,

The Supreme Court and the Indian judiciary have set an example for all other nations during the challenging pandemic period. Mr Mishra (BCI Chairman MK Mishra) informed us about problems of lawyers who don’t have the protection of legal firms. I promise from here (from this podium) that we will do everything we can for them.

In the last cabinet meeting, we have approved the revamping of infrastructure of the lower judiciary. At one go, we will create important infrastructure in the lower courts.

WATCH VIDEO –

#JustIn | #CJI NV Ramana and Union #LawMinister @KirenRijiju praise each other over appointment of new #SC judges. #CJIRamana thanks PM #Modi for speedy approval of new judges, calls Rijiju ‘a dynamic Law Minister’. #KirenRijiju says ‘CJI will create a new dawn in judiciary’. pic.twitter.com/VgLJILqelJ
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 4, 2021