Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Friday, April 15, said he is making efforts to fill up vacancies in the judiciary and to improve judicial infrastructure in the country, besides addressing issues relating to the security of judges and others.
Justice Ramana said he has taken up filling up of vacancies and improving the infrastructure of the judiciary soon after taking over as CJI.
In the case of Telangana, the CJI said he had cleared the pending file for increasing the number of judges from 24 to 42 without any delay.
The judicial officers must sensitise themselves to different vulnerabilities of the parties, including minors, women and persons with disabilities who may have different requirements, and treat everyone with respect, he said.
Highlighting the significant role played by the judicial officers in the Constitutional scheme of things, he said the officers should apply their minds independently to the materials presented before them.
The judicial officers must keep themselves updated and they will be able to apply the changing law and precedents to cases before them and ensure justice only when they are aware of them, he said.
Acknowledging the importance of financial well being, the CJI said: “Only when you are free from financial worries, you will be able to give your best.
He said the Constitutional Courts have been functioning with full potential as the COVID-19 pandemic has become less intense.
He appreciated Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for his proactive role in facilitating the functioning of the judiciary in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, he said a convention would be held in Delhi on April 29 and 30 on the Judicial Infrastructure Corporation proposed by him to address the issues of judicial infrastructure in courts all over the country.
He felt that the problem of basic facilities in courts would be resolved if a decision is taken on the matter and the proposal is successful.
The CJI said he would not back off if someone thought it to be motivating to begin a revolution when he speaks about ensuring justice to the oppressed and those sections of society who have not received justice.
Highlighting the need for inclusivity in judiciary, he said inclusivity does not mean ensuring adequate representation of women alone but all sections of society and all regions.
He said he had written to the Union government and state governments to provide financial support to junior lawyers who lost their livelihood.
Justice Ramana said the newly set up International Arbitration and Mediation Centre in Hyderabad would be useful to the lawyers financially, bringing in new career prospects for them.