NEW DELHI: On Sunday, President Droupadi Murmu expressed concern over the judicial process, highlighting that people perceive a lack of sensitivity when verdicts in heinous crimes, particularly those involving women, such as rape, are delayed. She emphasized that every judge and judicial officer has a “moral responsibility to uphold dharma, truth, and justice.”
Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the national conference of the district judiciary, President Murmu pointed out the troubling reality that criminals often roam freely and fearlessly, while victims live in constant fear—both of the lengthy court cases and potential reprisals from the perpetrators.
Reflecting on the liberal bail policies often adopted by the Supreme Court and High Courts under the principle of “bail is the rule and jail is the exception,” she remarked, “Those who suffer from crimes live in fear as if they themselves have committed some wrongdoing.”
President Murmu also noted that ordinary citizens are often intimidated by the judicial system, viewing it as a last resort for the redressal of grievances. “Many people endure injustice silently because they fear that seeking justice could make their lives even more miserable. For them, even a single trip to the court is a source of immense mental and financial stress,” she said.
She expressed concern over the significant backlog of cases, noting with dismay that some cases remain undecided even three decades after they were filed. To address this, she suggested the frequent organization of Lok Adalats to amicably settle as many cases as possible between contesting parties.
“District-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary,” she said.
