Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, May 24
President of India Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday inaugurated the new building of Jharkhand High Court in Ranchi.
Spread in 165-acre of land, it is reported to be the largest High Court premises in the country in terms of total area. The project entailed an investment of Rs 550 crore. Supreme Court of India is spread in 22 acres of area.
The President, while addressing the event, expressed her concern over the large number of poor prisoners languishing in jails as they could not find surety and financial support. She appealed to the chief justice of India on the issue.
Murmu said Indian prisons were overcrowded, their conditions were bad and inmates were staying in inhospitable conditions. She also raised the issue of denial of relief even after orders of the High Courts and Supreme Courts and suggested changes in the law of contempt to enforce their orders.
Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud who was the guest of honour, agreed with the President and admitted for petty offences, many are jailed for years even before conviction. They have neither resources nor money to get out of jail.
They are illiterates. Courts have duties to instill confidence of judiciary to these prisoners, he said, adding that there should be adequate facilities in the district courts, CJI said and regretted there were no toilets for women in the district courts.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told the President that in the union budget, Finance Minister has made budgetary provisions for financial and legal assistance to the poor prisoners to facilitate them to furnish bonds and penalty money. He suggested local language use in the courts proceedings.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanded reservations for tribal candidates in the appointment of higher judiciary.
Earlier, President offered prayers at holy Baidyanath Dham temple at Deoghar.
