Indus Valley Times

‘In my long experience in public life, I have come across instances of people incarcerated for periods longer than the punishment stipulated for the crime of which they are accused,’ observed President

By Shrikant Panda

Cuttack, July 27: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday urged the people associated with the High Court of Orissa to work towards speedy dispense of justice.

The President, who is on a three-day visit to her home state Odisha, attended the valedictory function of 75 years of completion of the court at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said, “The legal profession in India has stood the test of time. It has earned the trust and respect of the citizenry. It stands strong as one of the important pillars of the World’s largest democracy.”

“Everybody concerned with the legal profession should work toward speed trial and quick justice. This can set free those innocents who are languishing in jail on trivial charges. This is a subject close to my heart and I have spoken about it on previous occasions also,” she added.

“In my long experience in public life, I have come across instances of people incarcerated for periods longer than the punishment stipulated for the crime of which they are accused. Such delays are a major concern. Due to this, innocent persons lose the prime period of their lives. I will therefore exhort all those connected with Orissa High Court to work towards speedy dispense of justice and set an example for the entire country,” the President stated.

Expressing her happiness to be a part of High Court of Orissa’s platinum jubilee celebrations, she said “I am delighted to be in your meets today. I am happy not only because the Orissa HC is celebrating its 75th anniversary but due to the presence of galaxies of legal luminaries and other eminent personalities.”

“As you all know Odisha became a state on 1 April 1936. The High Court of Orissa was established nearly 12 years after the formation of the state on this very day in 1948. The establishment of this High Court reflected the long-standing aspirations of the people of Odisha,” she added.

“Any institution which does not change with time lags behind. I am told that the High Court of Odisha has endeavored to incorporate technological advancement in the justice delivery system. I appreciate the initiative of the High Court to streamline and accelerate the justice delivery system through several modern, innovative and technology-driven changes,” she noted.

President Murmu also remembered the Kargil heroes and said, “On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I extend my gratitude to the brave soldiers of our country and bow before the army personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.”