Chief Justice RV Malimath highlighted the critical role of robust judicial infrastructure in addressing pending cases at an event in Jabalpur, emphasizing the need for improvement to expedite justice delivery.
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Jabalpur: Recently, Chief Justice RV Malimath of the Madhya Pradesh High Court highlighted the importance of sturdy judicial infrastructure in addressing the ongoing challenge of pending cases. Speaking at an event in Jabalpur, he emphasized the critical connection between deficiencies in infrastructure and the inability to increase the number of judges, thus extending the time litigants must wait for justice.
Highlighting the pressing need for a comprehensive long-term vision, Justice Malimath stressed that merely increasing the number of judges without addressing infrastructure limitations would fail to alleviate the burden of pending cases.
He remarked-
“The absence of adequate infrastructure stands as a primary obstacle to augmenting the number of designated judges. Without a comprehensive long-term vision, the backlog of cases cannot be resolved, perpetuating the suffering of litigants.”
The event also marked a significant milestone as Justice Malimath virtually laid the foundation stone for the development of infrastructure across multiple locations, including Jabalpur, Indore, and Gwalior, with an investment totaling Rs.1,199.75 crore. This endeavor aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the MP High Court and facilitate more efficient judicial processes.
Providing insights into the future expansion plans, Justice Malimath shared that the judge strength in the MP High Court is poised to increase to 121, with 60 judges designated at the principal seat in Jabalpur and 30 each at the Indore and Gwalior circuit benches. This expansion reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the escalating caseload and ensuring timely dispensation of justice.
Moreover, Justice Malimath urged legal professionals to prioritize the needs of litigants and empathize with their prolonged struggle for justice.
He implored-
“We must prioritize the requirements of litigants over our own. I implore each one of you to empathize with the plight of a litigant who has waited for justice for decades. The ordeal faced by such litigants is beyond imagination.”
Emphasizing the collective responsibility of the legal fraternity in driving systemic change, Justice Malimath called for a shift in perspective from mundane concerns to the larger goal of justice delivery reform.
He remarked-
“Real change in the justice delivery system can only occur when we transcend everyday trivialities. A significant number of us, both from the bar and the bench, have been actively contributing to this endeavor here in Madhya Pradesh.”
Chief Justice RV Malimath highlighted the significant delays that have hindered the completion of judicial infrastructure projects, using the district court complex in Gwalior as an example. He revealed that despite being initially scheduled for completion within 36 months, the Gwalior project stretched over a prolonged 16-year period before reaching its conclusion. Originally budgeted at Rs. 19.72 crore, the final cost of the project upon completion exceeded expectations, surpassing Rs. 100 crore.
Expressing his concerns over potential repetition of such delays, Justice Malimath remarked-
“I hope that the construction of these buildings proceeds without encountering comparable delays. The intent behind erecting these new structures in Jabalpur, Indore, and Gwalior is to support the administration of justice.”
Providing insights into upcoming infrastructure developments, Justice Malimath outlined ambitious plans for enhancing judicial facilities across Madhya Pradesh. He disclosed that the construction of the new complex for the MP State Judicial Academy in Jabalpur would entail an investment of Rs.485.84 crore. Additionally, new high court buildings in Indore and Gwalior are slated for construction at costs of Rs.307.68 crore and Rs.406.23 crore, respectively. These initiatives signify a concerted effort to modernize and expand the state’s judicial infrastructure to meet growing demands and improve accessibility to justice.
The event witnessed the presence of esteemed judicial dignitaries, including Justice S A Dharmadhikari, the administrative judge of the Indore bench of the High Court, Justice Vivek Rusia, administrative judge of the Gwalior bench, and Justice Vivek Agarwal, the in-charge chairman of the MP State Judicial Academy, Jabalpur.
