Preserve independence of judiciary: Chief Justice Dattu

The Chief Justice of India, Justice H.L. Dattu on Saturday called upon the judges and lawyers to remain steadfast and together to protect and preserve the independence of judiciary.

The bench and bar have to remain together to protect and uphold the independence of judiciary, which Chief Justice Dattu described as a national asset.

The bench and bar together constitute the justice delivery system. Bench alone and bar by itself cannot do it. They are the wheels of the judicial chariot, the chief justice told legal luminaries present at the function.

He urged the lawyers to maintain the image of the bar. The chief justice was addressing the legal fraternity at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association on India's 69th Independence Day on the Supreme Court lawns.

Recalling the sacrifices of the freedom fighters, Supreme Court Bar Association President Dushyant Dave said that that it was easy to enjoy the freedom but difficult to preserve it. He said it was the duty of the legal fraternity to protect this freedom.

Dave said that though Executive (government) will always want to have social controls and contend that the security of the State overrides the security of an individual but "individual freedom can't be compromised".

Pointing to the problem that the system was facing, Dave said: "Judicial system was under stress and the way things are going it may take a long way."

He urged the government look into the issue with an open mind and take "active and aggressive" steps to address the situation.

Union Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said that a small group of people were creating disturbances instead of taking recourse to legal remedies. He said that such people should be made to account for their actions.

The law minister said that protected mitigation, delay in disposal of cases and awarding punishments were adversely impacting the people seeking justice.