President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday launched three significant publications from the Supreme Court, joined by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The newly released publications are titled ‘Justice for the Nation: Reflections on 75 Years of the Supreme Court of India’, ‘Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion’, and ‘Legal Aid through Law Schools: A Report on Working of Legal Aid Cells in India.’
In his address, the CJI highlighted the profound importance of these publications, stating, “It is nigh on impossible to understate the importance of the publications which are being released today. Of the three publications, one is a collection of essays which analyse the jurisprudence of the court since its foundation and the remaining two are studies which assess the functioning of legal-aid cells in universities and the state of prisons, respectively.” He noted that these works serve as vital moments of introspection for both the Supreme Court and the broader legal system.
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The CJI emphasized that self-reflection is crucial for any institution striving for excellence. “For any institution, the pursuit of excellence necessitates the deliberate act of self-reflection. As part of this process, we must carefully assess our past and present and use what we extract to inform our actions in the future,” he added.
The publications also provide essential insights, as the CJI explained: “While the compendium serves as a valuable tool for judges, lawyers, and citizens to ruminate on the direction the law has taken in the past several decades, the reports provide valuable data and analysis which will enable various actors in the legal system, including courts, the Legal Services Authorities at the national, state, and district levels, and legislative bodies, to better understand the nature of problems which prevail at the grassroots.”
He further stressed the importance of an accurate understanding of these issues to devise effective solutions, warning that, “Without a clear picture of ground realities, laws and policies will have limited impact and may even entrench existing problems.”
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The first report, Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion, is a product of the President’s vision, making her launch of the publication especially fitting. “This report analyses the prison manuals of all States and Union Territories and tests its provisions on the touchstone of the Constitution. It also examines the role of the district judiciary in adjudicating applications for bail, the use of alternative punishments for convicted persons and their reformation,” the CJI said. The report highlights underexamined issues, such as menstrual equity, reproductive rights for female prisoners, and de-addiction programs. One significant finding of the report is that caste often influences the tasks assigned to prisoners, with those from marginalized backgrounds more likely to be given sanitation duties, he noted.
On the second report, Legal Aid through Law Schools: A Report on the Working of Legal Aid Cells in India, CJI Chandrachud spoke about the dual purpose of legal aid clinics. “They are aimed at supplementing the state’s legal aid programs as well as developing the skills of law students. In the process, it is hoped that they inculcate a sense of service to society in each generation of lawyers,” he said, adding that the legal community must ensure these clinics function effectively.
The third publication, Justice for the Nation: Reflections on 75 Years of the Supreme Court of India, is a collection of essays by retired judges, eminent jurists, academics, and lawyers examining critical themes and trends in the Court’s jurisprudence. Topics covered range from the late Fali Nariman’s discussion on preambular values to Dr. Upendra Baxi’s exploration of judicial review limits, as well as the evolution of fundamental rights concerning gender, disability, free speech, and caste. “I hope – nay, I am certain – that this volume will catalyse a lively discussion amongst the public and the legal community on the role of the Supreme Court in our democracy,” the CJI concluded.
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