Chief Justice of India RM Lodha
Chief Justice of India (CJI) RM Lodha today expressed concern over the direction taken by the criminal justice system in the country and asked the central government to create additional fast track courts so that pending trials could be carried out faster.
"As head of judiciary, I am pained. Criminal justice system needs to be fast tracked. Criminal trials are pending for decades. It is high time that central government take steps in fast tracking criminal justice system," said Mr Lodha.
The CJI also asked the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who is the face of executive in the court, to come up with a system in four weeks.
Mr Rohatgi has in turn assured the court that the government will take the required steps.
These observations came during the hearing of a case relating to the release of foreign prisoners languishing in Indian jails despite completing their sentence.
"As a CJI, I cannot create courts. I am not satisfied with the way criminal justice system is moving. States have to do it. Have a meeting of chief secretary and law secretaries of states and come up with a proposal," said Mr Lodha.
Chief Justice said, pointing out the NDA government's desire for fast track cases against legislatures, "Your government wants to fast track cases against MPs and MLAs, why not fast track criminal cases by constituting additional fast track courts?"
The CJI added that even though fast track courts have been set up so far in some cases of crime against women, the process is still being done on a piece meal basis.
"We need finance and infrastructure. Don't do it at the cost of other cases. Have additional courts," said Mr Lodha.
The CJI added that in November 2008, the Supreme Court had given orders to complete criminal trials in one year.