NEW DELHI: Justice Surya Kant, one of the most senior judges of the Supreme Court, on Tuesday said lawyers’ applause and experts’ adulation for a lucid and erudite judgment means little to the highest court compared to its beneficial impact on litigants and citizens of the country.
Exchanging views with judges of the Kenyan Supreme Court, Justice Kant said, “Justice is the soul of every democracy, and the judiciary stands as its unwavering custodian. However, the effectiveness of this noble institution is not measured solely by its pronouncements, but by how swiftly, transparently, and equitably it ‘delivers’ justice to the people it serves.”
He said the true essence of justice is not confined to the written judgement, but its impact on the litigants who knock the doors of courts for justice. Quoting an African proverb “A tree is known by its fruit”, Justice Kant said, “The fruit of the judiciary is the confidence it instils in the people, that their voice will be heard, their grievances addressed, and their rights upheld.”
Addressing the mounting pendency in courts, he said delayed justice invariably results in its denial, but lack of access to justice results in justice being undone. Praising the Kenyan SC for outdoing the Indian counterpart in achieving a cent percent clearance rate, Justice Kant said Indian SC too has infused innovative reforms through integration information technology advancements in the court management system.
“While technology has undoubtedly enhanced case management and delivery, it must never come at the cost of the right to be heard. Swift justice must not become hurried justice. The delicate balance between efficiency and fairness remains the hallmark of a truly just legal system,” he said.
Justice Kant said judicial independence is bedrock of constitutional democracy and effectiveness of justice delivery, but it must be fortified by unwavering integrity. “The fight against corruption is not just a legal battle, it is a fight for the very soul of justice,” he said.
He said just as ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant’, transparency in the justice delivery system serves as the strongest safeguard against opacity and suspicion. “Publication of judgments, digitisation of court records, and adoption of Open Data Initiatives empower citizens to hold the judiciary accountable,” he said.
