IIPA ORGANIZES DISCUSSION ON “MINIMIZING ADJOURNMENTS IN COURTS”

Minimizing adjournments in courts will remain a myth until procedural law is amended and made more stringent, strictly implemented and presiding Judges held accountable. Strikes and closure of court work for similar reasons must also be minimized as these lead to avoidable adjournments and cause huge inconvenience to the people. These were some of the conclusions of a panel discussion organised by the J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration in collaboration with Criminologists Society of Jammu & Kashmir on the topic “Minimizing Adjournments: Myth or Reality”.

Hon’ble Justice (Retd) Shri J P Singh chaired the session and panelists included Sh. U K Jalali, Sr Advocate and Former Advocate General (J&K), noted academic Prof.V K Kapoor and Sh. B R Gupta, former Director Prosecution of J&K Police. The participants included members of legal fraternity, academia, IIPA and the civil society.

Initiating the discussion Justice J P Singh said that justice is a changing expression and is for the welfare of an individual. He acknowledged that liberal adjournments are an impediment to speedy trial and delivery of justice. He emphasized that there is a need to have a relook into the age old judicial institutional framework and align it with the changing societal needs, thinking and technological advancements. The law makers have not made any significant changes in the procedural law to bring it in tune with the changing needs. He stressed upon the need to increase the accountability of the members of the judicial fraternity to ensure timely and speedy justice.

U K Jalali while sharing his experiences as Chief Law Officer of the state said that the adjournment doctrine is an unwritten one and there is a need for change in the mindset of both the seekers and givers of adjournments. He said the issues confronting the judicial system also includes adequate infrastructure, staff and adequate number of judges.
Prof. V K Kapoor in his address stressed upon the equitable distribution of work load among judges and the ethics in administration of justice. He argued that repeated strikes must be avoided. He also emphasized on need for adequate initial and in-service training of the judges.

B R Gupta in his remarks said that proper monitoring and the implementation of mandate of law in letter and spirit can ensure timely delivery of justice and avoiding adjournments.He cited extensively from the judgments to bring home that speedy justice is a fundamental right of the citizens.

Earlier Dr. Ashok Bhan, Chairman, IIPA J&K Regional Branch introduced the panelists and the subject of discussion. Sh. Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, President, Criminologists Society of Jammu & Kashmir in his introductory note said that the justice delivery system is under tremendous strain and requires support of all organs of state and civil society. Dr. Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, IIPA J&K Regional Branch conducted the proceedings and presented the formal vote of thanks.