An interview with Ramakant Goswami on those pending cases

Delhi Law Minister Ramakant Goswami got the portfolio in the last ministerial reshuffle. In an interview here with Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar he speaks about various initiatives being taken to ensure proper prosecution of cases and speedy justice to the people….

How do you intend to overcome the issue of pendency of cases in the lower courts?

Keeping in view the huge pendency of court cases in district courts, the process of creation of 50 additional posts of Delhi Higher Judicial Service and 100 posts of Delhi Judicial Service along with ancillary staff has been initiated. The Delhi Cabinet on Thursday approved creation of these 150 posts of judicial officers and 935 ancillary staff to assist them in their functioning.

What are the plans for construction of new courts?

The matter of construction of a district court building at Rouse Avenue for the New Delhi District is under progress. Land has also been blocked by the Delhi Development Authority for construction of South or South-East District Courts at Maidan Garhi and on Chhatarpur Bhati Mines Road in Satbari village.

The Delhi Government is also constructing more family courts to reduce the burden on existing courts. What is the status of these works?

The construction of three more family court complexes at Dheerpur, Janakpuri and Vishwas Nagar is nearing completion and these courts are likely to be functional soon. Apart from these, nine family courts are already functional.

What are the initiatives being taken to improve the atmosphere within the existing courts?

The Delhi Government has plans to set up separate court rooms in each court complex to provide a conducive environment to child victims and child witness in court cases. One such court has already been set up in Karkardooma Court Complex and remaining court complexes will also be covered soon.

The three-member Justice J. S. Verma Committee has been eliciting the views of the public and authorities on amendments to criminal law to sternly deal with sexual assault cases. Has the Delhi Government made any submission to it?

The Delhi Government has given its suggestions to the committee. However, we would not like to disclose the contents of the same as the panel is seized of the matter.