Chief Justice visits District Court Kulgam, reviews functioning of Courts

Inspects New Court Complex, takes stock of progress on ongoing works

KULGAM, FEBRUARY 17: Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, today visited the District Court Complex Kulgam along with  Administrative Judge for Kulgam district, Justice Sanjay Dhar.

The dignitaries were accompanied by various officers from Registry.

The Chief Justice along with the Administrative Judge visited the construction site of New Court Complex to take first hand information regarding progress on construction works being executed on the building. He was apprised by the officers of Housing Board, through a detailed PowerPoint Presentation, about the present status of various ongoing works in the court complex building.

During the inspection, the Chief Justice expressed satisfaction over the pace of progress and quality of work being carried out at the site. He stated that the new court complex in Kulgam is poised to address the growing demand for judicial services in the region and cater to the needs of the local populace on tis account. After completion, the new court complex in Kulgam is expected to serve as a beacon of justice, facilitating the resolution of disputes and dispensation of justice in a fair and efficient manner, he maintained. He said that it will provide a conducive environment for legal proceedings, thereby enhancing access to justice for all citizens.

In his address, the Chief Justice emphasized the pivotal role of Judiciary in upholding the rule of law and ensuring equitable access to justice for all citizens. He underscored the importance of the newly established court in extending legal services to remote areas, thereby bridging the gap between the law and the people it serves.

The Chief Justice directed the Managing Director J&K Housing Board to keep a provision for making a Vulnerable Witness Deposition Complex within the new under construction court building besides establishing a crèche facility in there preferably in the ground floor with an attached washroom. 

Regarding construction of Lawyers Chambers, the Chief Justice directed for making available one video conferencing room for the lawyers. In addition, one consultation room should also be made available in the lawyers building so that the junior lawyers or the lawyers who might not get separate chambers to their clients in the said consultation room, he asked the concerned.

Later, the Chief Justice interacted with the lawyers and emphasized the need of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism especially the mediation and Lok Adalat. He advised the lawyers to opt amicable settlement of the cases through ADR mechanism.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice had an exclusive meeting with all the district officers in which the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, SSP Kulgam and other officers participated.

The Chief Justice emphasized the need for deeper cooperation and coordination among different official functionaries including that of judiciary for optimum outcome. He stressed upon the role of legal services institutions especially District Legal Services Authority in timely justice dispensation, enacting as a bridge between the Judiciary, the Executive and Police administration.

The Chief Justice also gave directions to the Secretary DLSA to provide the copy of Legal Service Authority Act to all the officials of the district along with the rules so that they are able to know about the mandate of law as provided under Legal Services Authority Act.

Further, the Chief Justice directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure participation of Para-Legal Volunteers in all the public outreach activities being carried out by all departments including Social welfare, Health Department and Education department. He also directed him to take effective steps in ensuring that the construction of residential quarters for the judicial officers are raised on priority.

After the inspection,  the Chief Justice along with Administrative Judge Kulgam visited the site proposed for construction of Munsiff Court Quazigund. He maintained that establishment of Munsiff Court in Quazigund reflects a collaborative effort between various stakeholders, including the judiciary, government authorities and local communities. This initiative reaffirms the collective commitment towards fostering a legal framework that is responsive to the needs of the populace.

Advocates of District Court Kulgam submitted their charter of demands to the Chief Justice requesting that powers under Guardian and Succession Act must to given to Judicial officers posted at Qazigund. They also demanded sanctioning of a new court comprising Civil Judge, Senior Division/ Railway Magistrate having jurisdiction over Railway matters for Qazigund.

Earlier, the Chief Justice inaugurated special Lok Adalat for cheque bounce cases in presence of Justice Sanjay Dhar, Registrar General, Shahzad Azeem, Principal Secretary to  Chief Justice  M.K Sharma, Principal District & Sessions Judge Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Deputy Commissioner, Aamir Athar Khan, SSP Sahil Sarangal and other Judicial Officers of District Judiciary.