“What is that a common man expects from judiciary? He wants justice – unbiased and expeditious. – Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Ramesh Sinha
“Judges must discharge their judicial duties boldly and judiciously” – Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Ramesh Sinha
Raipur, September 22, 2024. A one-day Divisional Judicial Seminar of Judicial Officers was organized at New Convention Hall of New Circuit House, Raipur by Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy, which was participated by 111 Judicial Officers from four Civil Districts. This Divisional Seminar marks a significant milestone in the history of the judicial community. For the first time, it was graced by the presence and address of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh. The event was also graced with presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Parth Prateem Sahu, Judge, High Court of Chhattisgarh.
In his insightful keynote address during Inaugural Session, Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Ramesh Sinha emphasized the crucial role of judicial officers as custodians of public trust and their obligation to deliver unbiased and prompt justice. Addressing the Judicial Officers on public trust held by Judicial Office, Hon’ble The Chief Justice expressed “What is that a common man expects from judiciary? He wants justice – unbiased and expeditious. To meet such expectations, A judge, akin to Caesar’s wife, must remain above suspicion, guided by steady conscience, while discharging his duties with integrity and intellectual honesty.”
Hon’ble The Chief Justice also accentuated upon the critical importance of Divisional Seminars for enhancing legal knowledge, sharing best practices, and fostering collaborative learning among Judicial Officers. He stressed that the dynamic nature of law, coupled with the evolving challenges faced by society, necessitates continuous learning and adaptation.
Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Ramesh Sinha specifically highlighted upon the complex issue of implementation of provisions of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act for Rape victims, where despite existent legal provisions under the Act, if a rape victim is compelled to approach High Court, it indicates a gap in the practical application of law among Stakeholders. Hon’ble The Chief Justice emphasized the need for interactive learning experiences and a deeper understanding of legal provisions to address such sensitive cases effectively.
Raising concerns about the delay tactics being played with Interlocutory applications in Civil trials and hesitation on part of Judicial Officers to take bold decisions, Hon’ble The Chief Justice expressed that “I urge all Judicial Officers to carry out their judicial duties boldly and judiciously and to ensure that law should not be used as a tool for oppression but as an instrument of justice. I would like to assure here that your actions in pursuit of justice will undoubtedly receive strong support from the High Court..”
Addressing the broader landscape of legal development, Hon’ble The Chief Justice highlighted the growing importance of understanding Artificial Intelligence, technological advancement, and forensic evidence in the modern Justice System. Quoting the renowned Jurist Nani Palkhivala, Hon’ble The Chief Justice said that “The law cannot afford to stay static while society advances.”
Hon’ble The Chief Justice during his address stressed upon humility to acknowledge the potential for learning and further highlighted the indispensable role of seminars in fostering an environment of continuous learning and adaptability. He noted that by sharing best practices and innovative solutions, judicial officers can effectively tackle contemporary challenges, reinforcing the efficiency and efficacy of the judicial system and such collaborative platforms in form of Divisional Seminars help judicial officers learn from diverse perspectives and from each other. This event marked not just a tectonic shift in tradition but a leap towards a more interconnected and dynamically engaged judicial community.
The event was participated by Registrar General, Principal Secretary (Law), Director, Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy, Principal District Judges and Judicial officers from the districts of Raipur, Baloda Bazar, Mahasamund, and Dhamtari to delve into pressing legal issues that continue to shape the practice and administration of justice. These regions, forming the Raipur Division, welcomed a congregation of legal minds committed to addressing the complexities of modern jurisprudence, reinforcing their responsibility as guardians of justice amidst evolving societal challenges.
