New Delhi: Senior advocate and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Kapil Sibal, delivered a powerful address at the inaugural event of the National Conference of District Judiciary, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two-day event, held to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Supreme Court of India, brought together key figures from the judiciary to discuss the critical role of district courts in delivering justice across the nation.District and trial courts are backbone of justiceDuring his address, Kapil Sibal emphasized the need to empower trial courts, district courts, and sessions courts to ensure that justice is delivered without fear or bias. He stressed that these courts should not be viewed as subordinate but recognized as integral pillars of the judiciary.They are not subordinate as they deliver justice. The judiciary at that level should be instilled with the confidence that their judgments will not be held against them and that they represent the spinal cord of the justice delivery system, Sibal stated, underscoring the importance of giving lower courts the autonomy and respect they deserve.Must WatchKapil Sibal Speech infront of CJI and PM ModiOur trial court, district and sessions court need to be empowered to deliver justice without fear or fervour...They are not subordinate as they deliver justice. the judiciary at that level should be instilled with the… pic.twitter.com/4lnpY5jgqs— Jitender Singh (@jitenderkhalsa) August 31, 2024Concerns over bail practicesReflecting on his extensive legal career, Sibal voiced his concerns regarding the infrequent granting of bail at the district court level, a sentiment echoed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Sibal noted that higher courts are often burdened because bail at the lower court level is rarely granted.In my career, I have seldom seen bail granted at that level. This is not just my experience but even the CJI has pointed this out. After all, bail at the lower court is an exception, Sibal remarked.He further added that liberty is the foundation of a flourishing democracy and that any efforts to curtail it weaken the quality of democratic governance. Liberty is the foundational substratum of a thriving democracy, and any attempt to throttle it impacts the quality of our democracy, Sibal said.CJI Chandrachud calls for an end to colonial-era terminologyAs part of the conference, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud delivered a thought-provoking speech, advocating for an end to the colonial-era practice of referring to district courts as subordinate.To sustain the spine of the legal system, we must stop calling the district judiciary the subordinate judiciary. Seventy-five years after Independence, the time has come for us to bury one more relic of the British era – the colonial mindset of subordination, Chandrachud stated.His remarks emphasized the need for modernization and reform within the judicial system, reinforcing the importance of recognizing the district judiciary as a key component of the legal framework.Inauguration of commemorative stamp, coinDuring the event, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a commemorative stamp and coin to celebrate the Supreme Courts 75-year legacy. The two-day conference also featured speeches from Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.Valedictory address by President MurmuThe conference will conclude with a valedictory address delivered by President Droupadi Murmu on September 1. During her address, she is expected to unveil the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court, marking another milestone in the judiciarys journey post-Independence.
