The Judiciary is the common man’s last hope for Justice. Has it failed in
these critical days while the pandemic rages? Dispensation of justice is an
essential service which has to be provided uninterrupted.
Video-conferencing may be a good concept, but was it proper for the Courts
to have suddenly invoked it without the proper infrastructure in place. It
may not have been right to hurriedly introduce a system without proper
planning, training and effective awareness for all participants.
With already such a huge pile up of cases, the current extended closure of
Courts is a matter of concern. The working of the Judiciary has practically
come to a grinding halt with only urgent cases being heard. But every
litigant knows the urgency in his case. There is no excuse why Courts
cannot still function while observing the health and safety protocols and
using whatever digital aids as appropriate. The wheels of justice were
already turning slowly before the pandemic and must not be allowed to grind
to a halt. People expect and demand justice in a timely and honest way.
Courts after taking all the required precautions in the current
circumstances could have heard a fixed number of cases a day. The fountains
of justice must keep flowing. Justice delayed is Justice denied and this is
impermissible. Justice must be timely or not at all.
Aires Rodrigues
Advocate High Court
C/G-2, Shopping Complex
Ribandar Retreat,
Ribandar – Goa – 403006
Mobile No: 9822684372
Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012
Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com
Or
airesrodrig...@yahoo.com
You can also reach me on
Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues
Twitter@rodrigues_aires
www.airesrodrigues.com
