Karnataka - Mysore   

Time for judiciary to introspect: Lokayukta

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Traditional: Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde inaugurating the Law Day celebrations in Mysore on Thursday.

MYSORE: Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde on Thursday felt that it was time for the judicial system to introspect, identify mistakes and correct them accordingly as a few of them in the system brought disrepute to the noble institution.

“Don’t allow the Lok Sabha to correct the shortcomings in the system as they have to be addressed within the judicial family,” he said.

Mr. Hegde said: “Unlike the legislative and executive, the judiciary cannot survive without the support of the people. We must look into what the people are talking about the system. The judicial system cannot afford to remain silent on the recent developments otherwise the extra-constitutional authorities may come to the scene. Therefore, the issues in the system should be addressed internally as it is a matter of great urgency. Its reputation must be protected beyond any doubt.”

The Lokayukta was delivering a lecture on “Corruption in judicial system – impact on society and prevention” organised on the occasion of Law Day by the Mysore Bar Association. While lauding the Mysore Bar Association for organising the lecture, the Lokayukta felt that an open debate on the state of affairs in the judicial system could help in addressing the problems.

Stating that 2009 had been a “sad year” for the judicial system following the developments that took place in the year, the Lokayukta said that during his tenure in the bar and the judiciary, there were shortcomings in the system.

“If they had been addressed, the current debate over the system could have been prevented,” the Lokayukta said.

Pointing out that it was inappropriate to blame one section of the judicial system for the present state of affairs, Mr. Hegde said: “All of us have to take the blame. Therefore, we should address the issues within the system.”

Till a decade ago, nobody was willing to talk anything ill about the judicial system, the Lokayukta said.

The issues then used to be pushed under the carpet, he said.

Today, the issues are coming up for debate, the Lokayukta said.

The former Advocate General and senior advocate R.N. Narasimha Murthy spoke on the occasion.

Principal District and Sessions Judge of Mysore H.P. Sandesh, Bar Council of India member C.M. Jagadeesh, Mysore Bar Association president C. Appaji Gowda, Secretary M.U. Subbaiah and senior advocate M.A. Sampath Iyengar participated in the function.

A portrait of senior advocate V.H. Gowda was unveiled on the occasion.

Mr. Iyengar spoke about the contribution of Gowda in the field of law.

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