Judicial accountability

Apropos of ‘The injustice of justice’, it goes without saying that justice delayed is justice denied. Accordingly, a burden of responsibility rests upon the judges to do right with the realisation that their dithering and procrastination in a case can cause immense hardship to the litigant. The Anand case was a high-profile case and one cannot imagine the plight of an ordinary litigant under such circumstances. As there is no limitation of time fixed for finalisation of trial by courts under the CrPC, a heavier sense of responsibility entails upon the judges to expedite the proceedings at the earliest. This would also obviate any pangs of suffering by the litigant in respect of unnecessary delays, financial strains, etc. It also behoves the State to consider providing compensation not only in acts of omission by the executive, but also of the judiciary. Judicial accountability is a must. Roman poet Juvenal’s legal maxim is apt: ‘Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?’ (Who will guard the guards themselves?)

GURPREET SINGH, MOHALI

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Justice delayed

‘The injustice of justice’ brings to public view the seamy side of Indian justice. The agony of the accused, who were ultimately found innocent, during this long period, touched the limits of human endurance. The article also hints at the faltering of judges, which is not infrequent. It may be caused by many factors like the personality of the judge, social background, life experience, parties to litigation, nature of the crime, etc. It may be reduced by recruiting better quality of judges. The problem of judicial delay is perennial. Despite efforts of the SC and the government, they have not been able to resolve the issue. The onus is on the higher judiciary and the Bar to break this logjam. Compensating innocent victims of judicial delays is also a problem which needs to be addressed.

Beant Singh Bedi, Mohali

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Legalisation of MSP

Apropos of ‘Diversification best bet, not price intervention’, the fears expressed on legalising MSP are misplaced and not favourable to farmers’ cause. How it is going to affect the end-user and his/her dietary pattern depends upon price determination mechanism at retail outlets controlled by traders after farm produce reaches them. The government should take proper policy decisions to keep inflation under control. Farmers will adopt diversification provided they get assured MSP. Reforms in agriculture are useless without assured MSP.

Darshan Singh Bhathal, Nangal

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Farm reforms

As commoners, we should try to get to the bottom of the matter and suggest workable solutions (‘Diversification best bet, not price intervention’). Some vested interests are trying to stoke a fire and create problems for gullible farmers. The article has provided and placed before ‘men in power and position’ the ideal wherewithal and inputs for examination before implementation for optimum results. The ministry concerned should take a cue and enact long-lasting laws for an amicable solution to the farmers’ agitation.

Rajagopalan V Iyer, Navi Mumbai

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Desperate act

Refer to ‘Making MC polls a prestige issue; it was interesting to learn that apart from Amit Shah and JP Nadda, three CMs of the BJP-ruled states of UP, HP and Uttarakhand, accompanied by Union ministers and actors, among others, will be the star campaigners of the party for the civic body elections. The party could be testing the political waters, following the Centre’s recent repeal of the three controversial farm laws, as also the impending Punjab Assembly elections next year. But, what if, the party still fails to regain control of the local body, following its shoddy performance as evidenced by its downgraded ranking in the Swachh Survekshan, 2021, from the 16th position that it had achieved last year?

Vinayak G, New Delhi

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Humanity above all

Going through the middle ‘Across barbed wire, an awkward hush’ was both a heart-warming and heart-wrenching experience. One wonders how the natural instinct of friendliness and bonhomie gets suppressed in the presence of barbed wires, whether at Doklam’s hostile altitudes or at Wagah-Attari’s docile plains. The atmosphere of shared humanity gets vitiated by the wildly expansionist, ultra-nationalist or pro-terrorist policies of arrogant rulers. Instead of high-pitched slogans of one’s own country’s victory or glory, let there be the slogan of insaniyat zindabad, amid handshakes across the wire.

Amritlal Madan, Kaithal

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