FORUM FOR FAST JUSTICE AND GA 500 LAWYERS CONFERENCE RAISE VOICE FOR JUDICIAL REFORMS, SEMINAR ORGANIZED ON THE URGENT NEED FOR JUDICIAL REFORMS FOR TIMELY DELIVERY OF JUSTICE
Face2News/Chandigarh
At a time when more than 55 million cases are pending in courts across India, the constitutional promise of justice is becoming a distant dream for millions of citizens. Against this backdrop, Forum for Fast Justice, Mumbai, in collaboration with GA 500 Lawyers Conference, women advocates and social activists, and RTI activists, organized a high-level seminar on the theme “Urgent Need for Judicial Reforms for Timely Delivery of Justice” at the Press Club, Chandigarh.
The seminar was addressed by Bhagwanji Raiyani, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Forum for Fast Justice; Praveen Patel, National Coordinator, Forum for Fast Justice; Sanjay Chaddar, Trustee, Forum for Fast Justice; Advocate Bharat Bhushan Chaudhary, Founder and President, GA 500 Lawyers Conference; Pallav Mukherjee, Chandigarh; women advocates Shalini Bagdi and Usha alias Mansi Sharma; Advocate Mandeep K. Sajjan; and RTI activist Rajendra Singla.
Jaspal Singh, RTI and social activist, conducted the proceedings as the Master of Ceremonies. He stated that lawyers and judges who deliver prompt and fair justice should be appropriately rewarded by the government, and efforts to provide speedy and correct justice to all citizens should be actively encouraged.
The speakers emphasized that the seminar was not merely a discussion forum but a call to transform the concept of a “People’s Court” into the reality of timely justice. They stressed that this can only be achieved through political will, institutional reforms, and technological support.
The event was attended by advocates, legal scholars, policymakers, and representatives of civil society, who deliberated on the reforms necessary to restore the constitutional promise of timely justice under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
According to official figures, the number of pending cases in Indian courts has exceeded 55 million. Millions of litigants have been waiting for justice for years, and in many cases, decades. Bhagwanji Raiyani stated that such delays not only erode public confidence in the judicial system but also adversely affect the fundamental rights to life and personal liberty, which include the right to speedy justice.
The speakers further highlighted the plight of undertrial prisoners and the issue of equal access to justice as critical concerns requiring urgent attention. The seminar also analyzed the crisis in the context of India’s constitutional commitments and international human rights standards.
Discussions focused on the need for effective implementation of the National Litigation Policy and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, as well as the prudent use of technologies such as e-Courts, virtual hearings, and case-tracking systems to reduce unnecessary adjournments and delays.
Special attention was given to measures for reducing the increasing burden on the subordinate judiciary in regions such as Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, where the caseload per judge is significantly higher than the national average.
Participants also emphasized strengthening Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability at various levels of the justice delivery system.
The seminar featured a special address on the constitutional necessity of timely justice, a panel discussion among distinguished guests, and an interactive question-and-answer session involving media representatives, law students, local civil society groups, and other participants.
Among those present at the event were O.P. Chopra, Balbir Gure, Rajinder Bhukal, R.P. Singh, Rajendra Kumar, social workers and office-bearers of Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha from Chandigarh and Haryana; Advocate Satish Kadian, Advocate Sunil Kumar, Advocate R.K. Joshi, Advocate Pyarchand Kondal, Advocate Ranjit Dhiman, Advocate Kanu Sharma, Advocate Shalini Bagdi, Advocate Usha Mansi Sharma, and several other distinguished members of the legal fraternity and civil society.
