CJ favours alternative dispute resolution mechanism
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Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court G.S. Singhvi has stressed the need for alternative dispute resolution mechanism to resolve cases expeditiously and regain the confidence of people in the judiciary. Addressing a seminar on ‘Plea bargaining’ organised by Law Summary journal here on Saturday, Mr. Justice Singhvi expressed concern over the perennial problem of pending cases. Liberalisation and globalisation policies and increasing population pushed up the number of cases filed and only worsened the problem. He pointed out that the Tsundur case took nearly 12 years for trial and ended in conviction of 20 persons. But the delay denied justice to victims. Referring to the possible misuse of the alternative systems of justice, Mr. Singhvi said that if the officers concerned were honest, they need not worry about the threat. Supreme Court judge S.B. Sinha who delivered the keynote address said that most of the cases in America were resolved through negotiations between the complainant and accused making pendancy as low as nine per cent there. But the pendancy was very high in India because of procedural delays in regular courts. He felt that it was high time the judiciary made use of alternative dispute resolution mechanism to reduce pendancy and cost of litigation and regain the confidence of people. He, however, cautioned against possible misuse of the alternative systems of justice. This could be tackled by creating awareness among people providing training to mediators and monitoring the system till it gained acceptance. He pointed out that village panchayats rendered effective and quick justice to people from ancient times in India. Justice V. Eswaraiah, portfolio judge of Prakasam district, and Justice G. Raghuram, High Court judge, also addressed the seminar. Law Summary Editor A.R.K. Murthy welcomed the gathering. Source : hindu.com |