NEW DELHI, Aug 26: The outgoing Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Friday stressed the need for deploying modern technology tools and artificial intelligence to find a solution to the problem of pendency of cases which was a “huge challenge” before the judiciary.
Data Reveal that over one crore cases were pending in various courts for over five years and more than 76 per cent of the prisoners in jails in the country were undertrials.
In his farewell address CJI Ramana who demitted office on Friday expressed regret for not being able to pay much attention to issues of listing and posting of matters for hearing in the Supreme Court and contribute for the clearing of pendency of cases.
“Even though we tried developing some modules, because of the compatibility and security issues, we could not make much progress,” Justice Ramana, who was heading the ceremonial Bench, said. He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the priority was running of the courts and unlike commercial establishments, “we cannot secure the technological tools from the market directly.”
“We have to admit the fact that the pendency is a huge challenge before us. I must admit that issues of listing and posting of matters is one of the areas on which I could not pay much attention. I am sorry for that,” the CJI said, adding, “We are busy in fire-fighting on all days.” Recently, senior advocate and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Dushyant Dave had said the CJI should not have the power to assign and list cases and a fully automated system for allocation be put in place in the top court.
He had referred to the problems faced by young lawyers in getting their matters listed in the apex court. Justice Ramana said the needs of the judiciary were different from those of the rest. He said unless the Bar was willing to extend its whole-hearted cooperation, it would be difficult to bring in necessary changes. “The juniors who entered the profession look up to the seniors as their role models. I request all the seniors to guide them to be on the right path,” he said.
The CJI said Indian judiciary has grown with time and it cannot be defined or judged by one single order or judgment. He said unless the credibility of the institution is protected, being the officers of this court, one could not command respect from the people and the society. “Let all of us march forward with the discussion and dialogue in the process of giving speedy and affordable justice to the common man,” he said.
The CJI said he was neither the first one nor he would be the last one to contribute towards the development of the institution. “People may come and go but the institution remains forever,” he said. “I thank all my colleagues and all the members of the Bar for their active support and cooperation. I will certainly miss you all. Thank you,” Justice Ramana, who became the 48th CJI on April 24 last year, said.
Attorney General K. K. Venugopal, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocates like Vikas Singh, Dushyant Dave, Kapil Sibal and others paid huge compliments to the CJI for his illustrious contributions in the cause of the judiciary and “set the ship to sail even through very turbulent times.”
(Manas Dasgupta)
