Time to introduce local languages in courts: Chief Justice of India N V Ramana

Amid a debate over Hindi and the linguistic diversity in the country, Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Saturday said that the time has come for the legal system to introduce local languages in courts. Justice Ramana, who was speaking at the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers of the States and Chief Justices of the High Courts at the Vigyan Bhawan here, said the practice of law before Constitutional courts should be based on one's intelligence and understanding of law, and not mere proficiency in language.

"The judiciary, as well as every other institution of our democracy, must mirror the social and geographical diversity of the country. I am receiving many representations for introducing local languages in proceedings before high courts," he said.

"I think the time has come now to revisit the demand and take it to a logical conclusion. The practice of law before Constitutional courts should be based on one's intelligence and understanding of law and not mere proficiency in language," the CJI said.


He said that the concept of 'access to justice' in India is much broader than simply providing lawyers for representation before courts. "I am proud to state that India has one of the best free legal aid services in the entire world," CJI Ramana said.

He said he has been a strong proponent of "Indianisation of the justice delivery system".

"By Indianisation, I mean increasing accessibility by moulding the system to suit the needs and sensibilities of the Indian population. It is a multidimensional concept. It calls for inclusivity, providing access to justice, removal of language barriers, reforms in practice and procedure, development of infrastructure, filling up of vacancies, augmenting the strength of the judiciary and so on," CJI Ramana said.

Time to move on from ad-hoc committees, create National Judicial Infrastructure Authority: CJI
The CJI also said time has come to move from ad-hoc committees to a more streamlined, accountable and organised structure by creating a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority for the standardization and improvement of judicial infrastructure which currently needs urgent attention.

CJI Ramana dispelled the apprehensions that the proposed body aims at usurping the powers of any government and shared that National Judicial Infrastructure Authority would have representation from all the stakeholders, including the representatives of the central and state governments.

"It must however be acknowledged that it is the judiciary which best understands its own needs and requirements. Hence, the present proposal aims to bring infrastructure development under the supervision of special purpose vehicles to be headed by respective chief justices, and involve the representatives of the central and state governments,” the CJI said.

He expressed his concern over the state of judicial infrastructure, saying that the environment of some district courts is such that even women advocates feel apprehensive about entering, and emphasized that the “courts, being temples of justice, should be welcoming and carry the requisite dignity and aura.”

"I am of the firm belief that judicial infrastructure, both in terms of personnel and physical infrastructure, needs urgent attention.... There is a severe gap between the existing infrastructure and the projected justice needs of the people. The environment of some district courts is such, even lady advocates feel apprehensive about entering court rooms, let alone female clients,” the CJI remarked.