The Chief Justice of India (CJI), D Y Chandrachud, has stated that the Supreme Court serves as a “people’s court” and citizens should not hesitate to approach it. Speaking at the inauguration of the Constitution Day celebrations, the CJI emphasized that the court system helps resolve disagreements through established principles and processes. He highlighted the importance of citizens having faith in the court system and viewing it as a fair and effective forum for enforcing their rights.
The CJI acknowledged the thousands of citizens who have approached the Supreme Court over the years with the belief that they will receive justice. He mentioned various reasons why citizens seek court intervention, such as protecting personal liberty, ensuring accountability against unlawful arrests, and preventing social evils like manual scavenging.
Addressing the issue of overcrowding in prisons, the CJI stressed that initiatives have been taken to ensure that citizens feel the judiciary is working for them. He expressed the hope that individuals, regardless of class, caste, or creed, would trust the court system and not see it as a last resort.
The CJI also highlighted the efforts to make court proceedings more accessible to the public. He mentioned the live-streaming of proceedings and the translation of verdicts into regional languages using artificial intelligence and machine learning. He noted that while the Supreme Court has delivered over 36,000 judgments in English, proceedings in district courts are not conducted in English. To address this, the court has launched the e-SCR platform, providing translated judgments for free.
The article also mentions the use of technology by the judiciary, such as the introduction of ‘e-sewa kendras’ in courts to ensure no citizen is left behind in the judicial process. The CJI emphasized that technology should not distance the judiciary from citizens but bring them closer together.
Regarding Constitution Day, the CJI explained its significance as a celebration of India’s successful democracy and the people’s embrace and internalization of the Constitution as a symbol of their aspirations.
Overall, the CJI’s remarks emphasize the importance of citizens’ trust in the court system and the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice. The efforts to make the court system more accessible and transparent are highlighted, along with the goal of ensuring that citizens view the courts as a fair and effective forum for resolving disputes.
