Subhro Bhattacharya
Underlining the need to be pro-active in ensuring Justice to the unprivileged Justice Kurian Joseph of the Supreme Court said that being the guardian of the Constitution the High Courts have the duty to ensure that the poor and the needy in society gets access to justice. The statement made by the Honourable Justice while inaugurating the new administrative complex of the Himmachal Pradesh High Court was attended by the Chief Justice of the Himmachal Pradesh High Court Justice Manikrao Khanwilkar; Advocate General and Chairman of Bar Council Shrawan Dogra; president of H.P Bar Assosciation Ashwani Pathak along with other current and retired Justices of H.P High Court, Lokayukta Lokeshwar Singh Panta and other dignitaries.
Stressing the need for accessible justice delivery system Justice Kurian Joseph said in a state like Himmachal Pradesh where 90% of the litigants are never able to reach court due to lack of legal literacy, topography and other factors it is upto the Courts to ensure that justice is delivered to those who have been wronged. Lauding the role of the press the Hon’le Justice said that it helped in strengthening of social structure by educating the people about policies, rights and duties and emphasized on the need for the courts to keep itself updated about current issues. The inauguration ceremony where religious leaders from different faith offered prayers and performed rituals was webcasted live on the websites of H.P. High Court and H.P. State Judicial Academy.
Addressing the gathering the Hon’le Chief Justice of Himmachal Pradesh High Court Justice Manikrao Khanwilkar said the use of latest technology will aid in speedy delivery of justice. Meanwhile Justice Kurian Joseph who has had been the Chief Justice of the H.P.High Court was lauded by High Court judge DD Sud, advocate general and chairman of the Bar Council Shrawan Dogra and president of the HP High Court Bar Association Ashwani Pathak who spoke on the occasion and thanked Justice Joseph for his role in visualising and conceptualising the auditorium of the new administrative block.