PANAJI
Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud made a case for 'responsive courts' saying the courts should be aware and abreast of the social changes happening and be sensitive to it while delivering justice.
Justice Chandrachud who was speaking after inaugurating the newly built North Goa District and Sessions Court complex at Merces also impressed on judicial officers and lawyers to ensure that the language used in courts is not derogatory, thus fostering an environment of inclusivity.
"It must be ensured that everyone feels valued and respected in our courts. Derogatory language, particularly against women, has no place here. Instead, we should adopt a language of inclusivity, respect and empowerment," he stated.
In terms of infrastructure, the CJI while pointing out that nearly 50 per cent of the new entrants into the legal field are now women, there is a need to ensure that stuff like washrooms and other spaces in court complexes are more gender-sensitive.
ORDERS IN REGIONAL LANGUAGES: The CJI also said judgements of courts should be made available in regional languages.
"I am proud to announce that the Supreme Court has now begun translating its judgements in Konkani," Chandrachud said, adding that he is confident that the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, Justice D K Upadhyaya, will also make efforts to translate judgements of the Goa Bench to the local language to enable the people of the State understand them.
JUDICIAL ACADEMY: Chandrachud, meanwhile, seconded an appeal made earlier by his Supreme Court colleague Justice A Oka, that the old transit premises of the district court at Altinho be allotted for setting up a 'Judicial Academy' and also an Arbitration Centre to make Goa a hub which can compete with Dubai and Singapore for international financial arbitration.
Citing Goa's global appeal and recognition, Chandrachud said, it could compete with Singapore where everyone is flocking for arbitration and resolution of financial disputes.
"Many Indian companies too are moving to Singapore for commercial arbitration cases. They can come to Goa. For that there is a need to develop a good commercial arbitration centre in Goa," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that the premises previously used by Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court and now the District Court, could be allotted for it.
Both Chandrachud and Justice Oka directed their requests at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Law Minister Aleixo Sequeira who were also seated on the dais.
Chandrachud and Oka had both argued that apart from training judges, the judicial academy would also come in handy for legal training of IAS and IPS officers, other bureaucrats and police officers.
Both, Chandrachud and Oka, are no strangers to Goa. During their long tenures at the Bombay High Court, they have both had multiple stints at the Goa Bench.
GOA DEVELOPING, PROGRESSING: In a reference to the Goan way of life, often referred to by the Portuguese term 'Sucegado', Chandrachud who has often visited Goa first as a lawyer and later as Judge of the Bombay High Court, said: "Goa embodies a tranquil attitude to life and I am impressed with the development and progress happening here. Each time you come to Goa you can see something new happening."
He said it shows that Goa is developing and a lot of social change is happening.
