SHILLONG, JUNE 3: In what could be termed as a historic event in the annals of the judiciary in West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma along with the Meghalaya high court chief justice PC Pant inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the District and Sessions Judge Court of West KhasiHills in the presence of deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh on Tuesday.
Meghalaya high court judge SR Sen SM Sangma, parliamentary secretary, W Mawsor, K.P Pangniang legislators additional chief secretary KS Kropha, Syiem of Nongstoin, EP Syiem,, Syiem of Khadsawphra, P Syiemlieh, West Khasi Hills deputy commissioner S Kharlyndoh and host of other dignitaries were also present during the function.
Chief minister Mukul Sangma emphasized on the importance of the complete separation of the judiciary from the executive to create a conducive atmosphere for the justice delivery system to flourish effectively.
Elaborating on the government’s efforts to establish the District and Session judge court Sangma said that the court would be able to accelerate legal proceedings thereby delivering prompt justice and at the same time help the understaffed police department who are weighed down with their duties in solving cases, investigation and maintaining law and order. He also assured that the government would equip the court with the necessary infrastructure.
Terming the occasion as a historic milestone, Sangma said that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the provisions as enshrined in the constitution of the country is fulfilled. He said that the district and sessions court will ensure access to equal opportunities and justice and will facilitate expeditious administration of justice.
While stressing on the need to create awareness about the legal system among the people, Sangma also said that it is very important that the people are made aware of their rights and it is imperative upon the government to sensitise the people and reach out to all the stakeholders. He also urged the youth to take up legal studies as one of the options so that they can contribute towards effective legal system and get an opportunity to serve the people.
“I appeal to the Bar to make legal support more affordable to the common man” said Sangma as he felt that in many occasions people were discouraged to take legal support due to exorbitant charges for legal support
In his address, chief justice PC Pant said that the separation of the judiciary from the executive is a step towards fulfilling the constitutional mandate and building confidence among the people. He said that this will facilitate the speedy delivery of justice without unnecessary delay in the process.
Deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh said that the separation of the judiciary from the executive is a relief to the executives as it will enable them to function more effectively and is also a relief to the litigants as it would enable them to get faster justice.- By Our Reporter
Though there has been separation of the judiciary from the executive in Shillong, to create a conducive atmosphere for the justice delivery system to flourish effectively’, I have personally experienced that it is not so like that. Government moves to influence judges or Judicial First class magistrates through some senior lawyers, and they are so vindictive and mean to the lawyers who represent me, and talk about faster justice the Law minister must come to the court and see….and many false cases are entertained which takes up the courts time, and this cannot be called justice.Common man is dragged to court on false cases (as many rich and the famous file cases right left and center,)and at times they do not get good legal representatives and they lose the case. Even to take out a file from the API (Asst Prosecuting Inspector) room, people have to pay, or he will make you wait and wait…That is justice…only for those who can pay…So far though, we have full faith on the High Court which is the last hope for the Common man…