Judiciary, Legislature need to work in tandem: CJI
7 April 2015 3:59 AM IST
Viewing Judiciary and Legislature as "siblings", Chief Justice of India HL Dattu on Sunday pressed for coordination as well as correcting each other in case the path laid down by the Constitution is deviated from.
He emphasised that issues related to the delivery of justice including the pendency of court cases cannot be handled by the Judiciary alone and the Executive must extend a helping hand besides granting financial autonomy to allow spending of allocated funds and better pay packages for judicial officers to attract the best minds.
"The Judiciary and the Parliament are like siblings, both the children of Democracy. We are obligated, on one hand, to support one another, and, on the other hand, correct the other if they sway from the path laid down by our sacred Constitution," the CJI said addressing a joint conference of Chief Justices of High Courts and Chief Ministers.
Describing the the conference being held as a fine example of "institutional dialogue", he said, "Issues concerning the administration of justice are complex and cannot be addressed by the Judiciary alone. The Executive has just as much at stake and the Judiciary must work with the Executive as equal partners in this extremely important mission."
He emphasised that, "It is only a well-coordinated effort between the Executive and Judiciary that will ensure that we achieve a just and efficient legal system."
Pitching for financial autonomy to the Judiciary, he said, "there must be no doubt that the Judiciary is best placed to understand its needs and the problem that affects the administration of justice. Therefore, while deciding budgetary questions, there must be an effective mechanism to factor the inputs of the judiciary.
"Of course, the final budgetary allocation is the prerogative of the Executive. However, once the allocation is made, we all believe that the time has come to seriously engage on the issues of financial autonomy for the judiciary."
Says he has replied to motion to impeach MP HC judge
Chief Justice of India H L Dattu on Sunday said he has responded to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on a motion to impeach a Madhya Pradesh High Court judge, accused of sexually harassing a woman additional District and Sessions judge. "I have sent a reply," Justice Dattu told reporters here, refusing to elaborate. He was asked whether he has nominated two members for the investigation committee to go into the allegations against Justice S K Gangele. As per the provisions of the Judges Inquiry Act of 1968, the motion admitted by the Rajya Sabha Chairman in March has been kept "pending" till "further action."
Khattar for separate hC for Haryana
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday demanded a separate high court for his state and central assistance to the tune of Rs 541 crore for augmenting judicial infrastructure. Speaking at the joint conference of Chief Ministers and High Court Chief Justices, he suggested judicial proceedings of higher courts should be webcast or telecast live. Khattar also said efforts be made to facilitate high court proceedings in Hindi in Hindi-speaking states, and in regional languages in non-Hindi speaking states while the judgements could be recorded in English until alternate arrangements are in place.
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