SRINAGAR, Jun 19 (UNI): Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan has called for sensitizing judicial officers to make the justice delivery system accessible to the poor and needy.
"The judiciary system is essentially based on the principles of natural justice and unless the system is made accessible to the poor and needy, it will lag behind in providing justice to all,'' he said while launching a legal awareness campaign here.
Justice Balakrishnan asked state Chief Ministers to provide better infrastructure for courts across the country to enhance the efficacy of justice delivery system.
He said the institution of 'Nyay Adhikaris' (judicial officers) would help in the speedy disposal of cases at the village level and also create awareness among the people about their legal rights.
The Chief Justice said Legal Services Authorities have been formed for this purpose so that the affected people, poor and deserving get their legal rights protected.
Justice Balakrishnan said a national legal service literacy campaign was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about two years ago to create awareness among the people about their rights and also make free legal aid service available to them.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, in his address, outlined the historical evolution of the justice system in the world and suggested measures for reducing delay in its delivery.
The poor, needy and destitute must be provided legal aid to protect their rights, he added.
Gen Sinha also suggested a mechanism for expediting the police verification to enhance justice delivery.
Instead of taking recourse to prolonged deliberations, minor cases could be resolved in minimum time if police functioning was reformed, he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said confidence the in judicial system hinged on the expectations that justice was delivered expeditiously, effectively and transparently.
He said speedy justice was a fundamental right flowing from the right to life.
''It is our duty to render fearless, impartial and quick justice to the needy," Azad added.
Gujjars demand CBI probe into violence during quota agitation JAIPUR, June 19 (UNI): Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Sangarsh Samiti has demanded a CBI probe into the atrocities caused on the Gujjar community and human rights violations during the week-long quota agitation in Rajasthan.
Addressing a press conference, here today by the patrons of the newly-constituted 'Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Sangarsh Samiti' - which will spearhead the community's demands for Scheduled Tribe status - Col Kiroi Singh Bainsla, Delhi MLA and NCP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Dr Yashveer Singh and Samiti president and Haryana MLA Sukhvir Singh Jaunapuria demanded that a CBI enquiry be orderd to unearth those responsible for the killing of about 25 people during the agitations and atrocities committed on the Gujjar community, whose properties were looted and set on fire.
The leaders said they would seek intervention of the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the human rights violations during the agitation.
Bidhuri demanded that the compensation to those killed in police firing be raised to Rs 10 lakh from Rs five lakh announced by the government and adequate compensation be paid to those injured during the agitation as per the agreement adding that the state government has not yet announced any compensation for the injured people.
Other demands include the withdrawal of cases against the Gujjars and action against the errent police officials.
The Gujjar leaders also announced a 'Vishal Gujjar Samman Rally' at Ramleela Maidan in the Delhi in October-November to press their demands, adding that they would continue the agiation in a non-violent manner till their demands were met.
The Samiti leaders also announced a compensation package of Rs 51 lakh of which Rs one lakh each will be given to the family of the killed and Rs 10,000-20,000 to the injured.
Speaking on the occasion Col Bainsla said he stands by the agreement reached with the state government and will wait for three months before contemplating further action.
Meanwhile, he remained non-committal when asked whether he would attend the 'Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Sammelan' scheduled to be held in Pushkar on June 24.
