Compassionate judges can always find ways to help people: CJI

Compassionate and sensitive judges always find ways to help people in need, Chief Justice of India T S Thakur today said while bidding farewell to the senior-most judge, Justice A R Dave who demitted office.
"Within the four corners of law, if you can do something to help somebody, that is, I think, the real test. If a judge is compassionate and sensitive, he can always find some way to help people," CJI Thakur said.
Speaking at the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at the Supreme Court lawns, the CJI said, "Justice Dave has been helping litigants in many ways and we all know how good he is at heart."

Justice Dave had joined the apex court bench on April 30, 2010 after serving as the Chief Justice of Bombay and Hyderabad High Courts.
Justice Thakur had words of praise for his retiring colleague, calling him "emaculate and prudent".
"Justice Dave has no airs, he doesn't behave like lot of other people do," Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said at the occasion.

"Compassion and practicality, I think are more important than mere academic knowledge of law. I found that he has an uncanny vision to find a practical solution to finish of the case," Rohatgi said.
A rather emotional Justice Dave, at the beginning of his speech, appeared slightly nervous but expressed his happiness and gratitude for the strong 500-plus crowd, mostly lawyers.

Justice Khehar said section 357A of Criminal Procedure
Code (CrPC) was introduced by Parliament to create a fund at the national level and state level for the victims.
"When the punishment itself contemplates sentence or fine section 357 of CrPC provides that the fine can be passed on to the victim. Even if that is not so, section 357A of CrPC have the fund -- a state fund, which can be extended to the victims," he said while asking NALSA and other state level bodies to observe 2017 as the year of the victims.
Justice Khehar said that apart from victim compensation, the accused in any case, especially a criminal case, should not go unrepresented and as soon as he is arrested, there should be somebody to reach out to help him in his case.

The CJI also said "it's an opportunity that has come our way and we should grab this opportunity and do whatever in the service of our nation and country. Here and now should be our motto".
Justice Khehar urged Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary, who appreciated the NALSA theme song 'Ek Muthi Asman' produced by filmmaker Prakash Jha, to telecast short films to create legal awareness on national television. These short films have been made by Prakash Jha for NALSA to create awareness.
The CJI also appreciated the concern shown by Chaudhary over the work done by judicial officers for creating legal awareness like distributing pamphlets, brochures and other materials among people in the slums and other places.

"We appreciate that you are willing to share the responsiblity because the kind of work judicial officers do in spreading legal awareness at grass root level, is some times embarassing," he said, adding that it is this kind of work which can be shared with the executive.
Supreme Court judge, Justice Dipak Misra, who is the executive chairman of NALSA, said legal aid should be provided to the marginalised, poor and needy in an adequate manner by the legal people as they are entitled to it.
He said that on February 11, National Lok Adalat was held in which 6,41,397 cases from various fields were disposed and 11 lakhs people were directly benefitted.

The minister in his address hinted that the Advocates Act may be amended so that at least 10 per cent of the cases of the poor or marginalised sections are taken up by them.
He said in order to reduce pendency of cases, especially in the subordinate judiciary, some of the administrative work done by judicial officers could be delegated to other persons.
Expressing the willingness of his ministry to extend support to the NALSA in spreading legal awareness among masses, Chaudhary advocated the use of information technology to reach out at the grassroot level.