Kumar Bahukhandi
Raipur: A divisional seminar of judicial officers of Raipur division’s districts Raipur, Dhamtari, Balodabazar and Mahasamund was organised in the auditorium of Raipur’s New Circuit House today on September 22 under the aegis of Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy. This divisional seminar was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court, Justice Ramesh Sinha, by lighting the lamp.
In his address, the Hon’ble Chief Justice, while explaining the importance and challenge of judicial work, said that not only in the High Court but also in the district judiciary, various types of disputes of contemporary importance keep coming up, which are an opportunity for the judges to contribute to the administration of justice and prove themselves.
Hon’ble Chief Justice reminded the judicial officers of the importance of their duty and said that “Judges are among those few lucky people who get the opportunity to provide justice to the people. Judicial service is not like other general government services but judges hold the position of public trust and the credibility of the judicial system depends on the persons holding the position of judge.
Therefore, the judge should be above all doubts like Caesar’s wife. Regarding the expectations of a common man from the judiciary, the Chief Justice said that a common man expects fair and speedy justice from the judiciary and for this the judge should discharge his duties with integrity, impartiality, honesty and commitment.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice said that the society in which we live is dynamic and keeps changing with time and the law which deals with the society also keeps changing. In such a situation, the judiciary plays an important role in keeping the society dynamic. The Hon’ble Chief Justice also asked to focus on the changes coming in the field of law with time and asked the judges to remain updated in relation to Artificial Intelligence, Forensic Science etc. and also expressed that such seminars provide an opportunity to judicial officers for collective discussion and exchange of experiences.
Hon’ble Chief Justice described abortion of rape victims as a complex and sensitive issue and said that even in those cases where court’s permission is not required, rape victims have to come to the High Court for abortion, whereas the provisions of law regarding rape victims are clear in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Hon’ble Chief Justice expressed confidence that today’s seminar will be an important opportunity to increase the understanding of law in this regard
Expressing his concern concern over the delay in disposal of cases, the Hon’ble Chief Justice said that the parties want speedy justice and sometimes some parties adopt dilatory tactics to delay the disposal of the case. The role of the judicial officer becomes very important in dealing with such tactics and such dilatory tactics can be discouraged by avoiding quick and courageous decisions and liberal adjournments.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice called upon the judicial officers to discharge their judicial duties fearlessly and in a just manner and the law should not be allowed to become a means of oppression, rather the law should be used as a tool to provide justice.
The Chief Justice assured the judges that the steps taken to provide speedy and fair justice will get the full support of the High Court. This divisional seminar was addressed by Justice Parth Pratim Sahu of Chhattisgarh High Court. The welcome address in the divisional seminar was given by Principal District Judge Raipur Abdul Zahid Qureshi and the introductory address was given by Sirajuddin Qureshi, Director Chhattisgarh Judicial Academy. A total of 111 judges from Raipur, Dhamtari, Balodabazar and Mahasamund districts participated in this divisional seminar. In this seminar, presentations were given by the participants on topics like PCPNDT Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, Civil Law, Forensic Science, Artificial Intelligence etc.
