Are lower courts not subject to development?

ARE LOWER COURTS NOT SUBJECT TO DEVELOPMENT

Author: Ms. Kashish Khurana, School of Law Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal.

Every morning we get up, we see a new world growing and glowing. As we have almost completed two decades of the 21st century, we are growing in every field for advancement. But one question remains unanswered. Is the development and advancement only for the higher authorities? What about the lower authorities? No need to think so deep or go so far, just have a look at our judicial offices.

Higher authorities and courts are well managed and furnished, but what about the lower courts. The Supreme Court of India is advanced both in the name of technology and advancement, as it the highest judicial and apex body of the nation. Moving towards the High Courts in each state, they are advanced by the infrastructure but what about the technology. Now, talking about the district and sessions courts in different districts in each state, the condition of both the infrastructure and the technology is very poor. The courts are the same as they were when they were built. Neither any technology nor any infrastructure has been evolved from decades.

All the lawyers sit on the benches outside the courtrooms on the same dilapidated chairs and tables which are there since the courts were formed. The court’s rooms have no space at all. During the rainy season, water runs through many of such courts. When asked by the Supreme Court to all the states about the conditions of the courts, they stayed mum. After the investigation, it was later found that crores of rupees were generated for the purpose of the advancement of infrastructure but the purpose was not accomplished.

Not just the courtrooms but the residential facilities of the judicial officers of the lower courts have the same condition. They have a lack of good infrastructure. All the residential facilities are the same as they were earlier no changes in them. Even if any improvement is needed, it is done by the officers themselves. Later on, no reimbursement is provided to the officers.

Also talking about the other facilities in the courts, there are no proper sanitization facilities in the courts. In many courts, there are no directions as to where the courtrooms or other rooms are located. This leads to a wastage of time of people and also making them more furious. In such a condition, what should we expect from them? The government of each state wants development for their own state. But are those judicial offices and the residential houses of those officers separate from them. Don’t they need advancement? Is that only building corporate and companies that would lead to advancement?

Judiciary is an important part of the state. It is subject to advancement the same as the housing societies and other buildings. It is necessary for common people to take an initiative and make the government aware of the situation in case they are not. And, if they are aware of the condition and the situation of the courts then it is high time for the, to take the step. The step should be taken at the very first for building separate rooms for the advocates on record and other people who come for their cases. The second initiative that needs to be taken is about the sanitization facility in and around the courtrooms. Even the library of the courts is subject to the improvisation.

As written in the constitution, everyone is subject to equal treatment. And if someone does not receive equal treatment can be provided with the help of the judiciary. What if the judiciary itself is suffering from the same condition? The government of each state needs to be awakened and made aware of the fact that the judicial offices is the part of the state itself.