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Advani bemoans erosion in judicial credibility

Union Home Minister L K.Advani on Sunday criticised the judiciary, saying that there had been considerable dent in the credibility of this vital democratic institution.

In his inaugural address of the first conference of legal aid orientation organised by the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority at Ahmedabad, copies of which were made available in New Delhi, Advani said the erosion of judicial credibility has led to an ironical situation where the legal system, instead of solving issues, had turned out to be a problem.

Citing reasons for this ''disturbing development'', he said delay and unaffordability built into the present system of justice dispensation was perhaps the major issue. ''Even for innocent and wronged citizens, the sheer process of seeking justice in the formal system becomes a punishment in itself,'' he said, and added that if the judiciary wanted to regain its credibility, the nation must act concertedly and swiftly.

Hailing Gujarat for enacting the Legal Services Authorities Act whose primary aim is to provide free legal services to the needy, the home minister said it was heartening to know that the authority had taken several measures to create widespread legal awareness in society by arranging legal literary camps and Lok Adalats.

Advani stressed the need for further strengthening legal aid efforts initiated by the state government. ''Increasing legal literacy, providing preventive and protective legal aid and other allied initiatives must continue.''

However, the core problem could only be addressed only by undertaking radical and deep-going judicial reforms at all levels, he added.

The home minister emphasised that comprehensive judicial reforms could not be accomplished by the government alone. ''It is the judicial system, judges, lawyers, bar associations, litigants associations and allied institutions who should build a powerful opinion and climate in favour of reforms.''

UNI

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