Criminal justice system needs reform: Supreme Court Justice Abdul Nazeer

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 31 Dec 2022: 95% of the criminal cases in the court are acquitted in the final trial, and it takes about 10 years for such cases to be settled, and till these proceedings are over, the accused person remains punished in a way. Supreme Court Justice Abdul Nazeer opined that there is a need for improvement in this regard.

 

In his inaugural address today at the district court premises of the city, under the joint auspices of District Judiciary, Public Works Department Udupi, District Bar Association Udupi and Bynduru, laying the foundation stone of the new annex court complex and the inauguration ceremony of the new Civil Judge, J.M.F.C court in Bynduru.

 

An accused person involved in a criminal case spends most of his time in custody in the name of police custody, judicial custody, trial. Also, he and his family suffer financially and socially as they have to pay expensive fees to lawyers without getting bail easily. When he is finally found innocent, the question arises as to who is responsible for the punishment that person has suffered so far. Therefore, reformation in the trial system of criminal cases should be essential, he said.

 

Civil cases are settled in police stations. Police cannot try civil cases. He said that this will increase the number of criminal cases.

 

The number of criminal cases is more than civil in Udupi district. It sends a wrong message to the society. He said that if there are more criminal cases, people get the impression that they are taking legal action, and it is not important to file an FIR in the cases, but it is necessary to submit the charge sheet in a coherent manner. He said that due to this, it will be possible to dispose of the cases in the courts in a speedy manner.

 

He said that there are more than 3500 litigations in Byndur of Udupi district and there is a need to start a separate court here.

 

Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale, who was presiding, said that court buildings and other basic facilities are needed for the proper functioning of the judicial system. Lawyers should settle cases for their clients quickly and at low cost. He said that steps will be taken to appoint necessary staff for the new annex court and Byndur court in the district.

 

 

B. Veerappa, Justice of the Karnataka High Court and Executive Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority, said that there are a large number of cases against endosulfan and narcotics in Udupi district. District lawyers through their association should visit any village at least 1 day in a month and organize legal awareness programs for the villagers. Senior citizens should be informed about their rights. He said that women should protest the injustices done to them with courage.

 

High Court Justices S.G.Pandit, Pradeep Singh Yerur, Vishwajit Shetty, C.M.Joshi, T.G.Sivashankar Gowda, Karnataka High Court Chief Registrar Murulidhara P.B., High Court Vigilance Registrar Bharat Kumar, President of Byndur Taluk Bar Association, Kantaraj BT, Chief Engineer of Shimoga Zone of Public Works Department was present.

 

Udupi Principal District and Sessions Judge Shantaveera Shivappa welcomed and Udupi Bar Association President B. Nagaraj presented a brief report. General Secretary Reynold Praveen Kumar delivered vote of thanks, Advocate Mary AR Shreshtha compered the programme.