New Delhi: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday addressed the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Addressing the inaugural session in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CJI called for being mindful of 'Laxman Rekha', noting that the Indian Constitution provides separation of power among three organs and the harmonious function between the three strengthens democracy.
"We must be mindful of 'Laxman Rekha', judiciary will never come in way of governance if it's as per law. If municipalities, gram panchayats perform duties, if police investigate properly and illegal custodial torture comes to end, people need not have to look to courts," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The Chief Justice noted that court decisions are not implemented by governments for years and said: "there's deliberate inaction despite judicial pronouncements that aren't good for the country. Although policymaking is not our domain, if a citizen comes to us with their grievances then the court can't refuse."
"The law should be made after thorough debates and discussions incorporating the needs and aspirations of concerned people. Often there's litigation because of the non-performance of Executives and inaction of Legislatures which are avoidable," he added.
CJI NV Ramanna also mentioned that "well-meaning intentions behind Public Interest Litigation (PIL) are misused as it's turned into 'Personal Interest Litigation' to stall projects and terrorise public authorities." "It has become a tool to settle scores with political and corporate rivals," he said.
About The Joint Conference
According to Prime Minister's office, the Joint Conference is an occasion for the executive and the judiciary to come together to create frameworks for simple and convenient delivery of justice and to discuss steps required to overcome the challenges facing the justice system.
"Since then, the government has taken various initiatives for improving infrastructure and integration of digital technology in court processes under eCourts Mission Mode Project," reads the official statement.
Following the conference's opening, a series of working sessions will be held in which the chief ministers and chief justices will debate the agenda topics and try to reach an agreement.
The Joint Conference brings together the executive and judicial branches of government to develop frameworks for delivering justice in a simple and convenient manner, as well as to examine the actions needed to address the system's challenges.
On Friday, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana chaired the 39th conference of Chief Justices of various High Courts of the country.
Both the Chief Justices' conference and the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices are being held after a gap of six years, at the initiative of the CJI Ramana, ANI reported.
(With Agency Inputs)