The concept of justice is an integral aspect of any society, and it is the fundamental responsibility of the judicial system to provide justice to the victims of crimes.

However, the Indian judicial system's delay in delivering justice has become a recurring issue, leading to a growing dissatisfaction among the citizens. The recent incident where a rape victim was convicted after 17 years of trial is a harsh reminder of the need for speedy justice delivery.

As I took a sip of Tea in Delhi High Court canteen, I saw a news flash on the television that a rape victim was convicted after 17 years of trial. The news was disturbing, and my curiosity led me to have a conversation with the victim.

The victim, contrary to my expectations, was not happy or relieved with the decision. The long delay in the decision-making process left her with a feeling of despair. The quote, "Justice delayed is justice denied," rightly came to my mind.

The Indian judicial system has come under scrutiny in recent years due to the prolonged process of delivering justice. The lengthy trials, procedural delays, and the backlog of cases have resulted in the justice system becoming frustrating and an arduous process for the victims.

The incident mentioned above is just one among many such cases that linger on for years, and the victims remain bereft of justice. In a democracy, it is the judiciary's responsibility to protect the human rights of every citizen and bring justice to victims of crimes.

In the face of incompetency and inefficiency in the justice delivery, it falls upon the judiciary, the legal fraternity, and the government to take swift and constructive steps to restore the public's faith in the judicial system.

The process of speedy justice delivery is a collective responsibility of the advocates and the Hon'ble Judges. Advocates play an essential role in ensuring that the justice delivery process is swift, as they are the primary representatives of their clients. They can file petitions, put case summaries in front of the judges and present the evidence that aids in the conviction of the criminal.

They play a vital role in expediting the judicial process by presenting the cases in front of the judges convincingly. On the other hand, Hon'ble Judges have the responsibility to ensure that justice is delivered on time.

During the hearings, judges can ensure efficient and thorough hearings, streamline the documentation process, and appropriately allocate resources to expedite the trials. The judges must provide specific timelines for the trials and follow due diligence, assertiveness, and fairness during the judicial processes.

The judicial system needs to thrive on the principle of justice delivery that upholds the dignity and the rights of the victims. The judicial processes need to be streamlined and made efficient, with a priority placed on speedy and just convictions. Public faith can be restored in the judiciary only when the victims' voices are heard, and the long-pending cases are dealt with swiftly.

Furthermore, the government needs to put in place adequate resources to enable the timely processing of cases. The judicial system requires the allocation of additional judges, adequate infrastructure, and the creation of specialized tribunals to deal with specific cases. These measures will go a long way in providing relief to the citizens seeking justice.

The recent incident in Delhi High Court canteen reiterated the need for speedy justice delivery in India. Justice delayed is justice denied. It is the responsibility of the advocates, Hon'ble judges, and the government to take cognizance of the matter and work towards streamlining the justice delivery process. It is only then that the judiciary will be successful in rebuilding the public's faith in the justice system, and victims will receive justice on time.

Justice denied is a consequence of delayed proceedings, which renders any decision useless if it comes too late. Therefore, it is the responsibility of both advocates and Hon'ble Judges to expedite the justice delivery system to maintain the people's trust in the judiciary.

Written By: Ajay Amitabh Suman, Patent and Trademark Attorney
Hon'ble High Court of Delhi
Ph no: 9990389539, [email protected]