Independence Day: Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda seeks speedy disposal of cases

NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today sought speedy disposal of cases especially those related to "crime against the society", saying delay leads to loss of relevance of defence and increases public sympathy and support for such offenders.

Gowda, while speaking at Independence Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, said there were groups of people disturbing the peace of the society on account of political, social and economic ideologies, and advocated punishment for such offences without any delay.

While referring to the challenges before a free society, he said all problems on account of political, social and economic ideologies need to be understood in proper perspective. "Not only a proper justice has to be ensured but also the punishment for such offences be awarded."

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice H L Dattu suggested proper coordination between bar and the judiciary.

"The bar and the bench together constitute the justice delivery system," he said.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar emphasised on freedom being exploited in the name of democracy and urged all to respect the freedom of every individual.

"I somehow feel that when we speak of rights of persons, the freedom and right which I have, must end where the freedom and right of the other person starts. But we find here that this freedom is being exploited in the name of democracy and there is definitely an exploitation of democracy which we must seek to control and that is something which we can achieve, if we all think together," he said.

Senior Advocate and the Supreme Court Bar Association President Dushyant Dave said freedom is very easy to enjoy but very difficult to preserve.

"The duty of preserving this freedom is on the judiciary. We at the bar and the bench (lawyers and the judges) have the great responsibility towards the future generation of Indians to ensure that its freedom is protected as beautifully as protected.

"The executives will always want social controls, the executive will always want that security... but we as the lawyers and the judiciary must remember that neither the social interest, nor the state security should ever owe right to the individual's freedom and individual's right in a constitutionally elected society," he said.