Grass-root needs to know about legal rights: Chief Justice of India

Shillong, Dec 8: Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir felt unless people at the grass-root level are informed and educated about the legal rights and responsibilities, it would be difficult to ensure delivery of the justice system in the country. He also agreed that traditional bodies will have to be educated about the legal system to ensure that the village courts ensure a free and fair justice system.

Launching the ‘Schemes on Legal Literacy Classes and Clubs” Saturday in the city to create an awareness of the legal rights to youngsters, Kabir, “The scheme is design to impart awareness of the legal system to school and college students.” Hundreds of students from different schools of the city attended the function.

Kabir, however, lamented that people are lacking behind in term of knowledge about the various legal rights and system besides schemes meant for them.  He said, “Through such literacy classes, people especially youth will not only be educated about their rights but help them to spread awareness to others.”

Kabir also informed that separate Meghalaya High Court would soon be functional and hoped it will improve the justice delivering system in the state.

Meghalaya will be one of the three states in the north east which will soon a have separate high court.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who was also present, stressed on the need to invest more on the law department.  He said, “We need to bring more budget allocation towards the Law department to bring about effective administration of justice delivery system.”

Sangma also said that the police organization also needs to be strengthened and said, “It is important, as the police are part and parcel of the investigation process which can help in curbing crimes.”

Sangma lamented that as even educated people are not aware of their legal rights it indirectly encourages criminals to commit more crimes.  He said, “We need to create awareness on legal rights to all the people.”

Kabir later took queries from the students and also distributed prizes to the winners of the essay writing competition in schools.- By Our Reporter