75 Years of Supreme Court: “Judiciary is the guardian of our democracy,”says PM Modi

On August 31, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Conference of District Judiciary at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Prime Minister also unveiled the stamp and coin commemorating 75 years of the establishment of the Supreme Court of India. The two-day Conference, organised by the Supreme Court of India, hosts five working sessions to deliberate and discuss the issues related to the District Judiciary such as Infrastructure and Human Resources, Inclusive Courtrooms for all, Judicial

Security and Judicial Wellness, Case Management and Judicial Training.

The Prime Minister began his address by recalling his visit to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Rajasthan High Court a few days ago and expressed gratitude for being present at the National Conference of District Judiciary being organised today as part of the 75th year celebrations of the Supreme Court of India. Modi underlined that the Supreme Court of India’s journey of 75 years does not merely associate with one institution but is also a journey of Bharat’s Constitution, its values and the journey of Bharat evolving as a democracy. The Prime Minister highlighted the crucial role of the makers of the Constitution and the entire judicial system in this journey. He also mentioned the role of crores of citizens of India who entrusted this judicial system. “People of India have never shown disbelief towards the Supreme Court of India or the judiciary”, PM Modi exclaimed. Therefore, the Prime Minister said, the journey of 75 years of the Supreme Court of India emboldens India’s glory as the Mother of Democracy. It strengthens the cultural proclamation of Satya Mev Jayate, Naanritam. Noting that the nation has completed 75 years of its independence and is about to celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, Prime Minister Modi said that the occasion is filled with pride and inspiration. He congratulated all fraternities of the judicial system and the citizens of India on the occasion and also conveyed his best wishes to those taking part in the National Conference of District Judiciary.

“Judiciary is considered as the Guardian of our Democracy”, underlined the Prime Minister. Terming it as a huge responsibility in itself, Modi lauded the efforts of the Supreme Court in efficiently discharging its responsibilities in this direction. Modi remarked that the Judiciary upheld the spirit of justice since Independence and praised the Judiciary for playing an important role in protecting the Constitution even during the troubled times of Emergency. He further added that the Supreme Court also protected against the attacks on fundamental rights and whenever the question of national security arose, the judiciary protected the unity and integrity of India by keeping the national interest paramount. For all these achievements, Modi congratulated all the distinguished persons of the judiciary for these memorable 75 years.

Underlining that the standard of living of common citizens, determined by the ease of living, is the most meaningful parameter of development for any country, the Prime Minister said that simple and easy access to justice is imperative to ease of living. He said that it can be made possible only when the district courts are equipped with modern infrastructure and technology. Pointing out the pendency of about 4.5 crore cases in the district courts, PM Modi said that work has been carried out at multiple levels in the last decade to eliminate this delay in justice. He informed that the country has spent about Rs 8,000 crore for the development of judicial infrastructure. He further added that 75 percent of the funds spent on judicial infrastructure in the last 25 years took place only in the last 10 years. “In these 10 years, more than 7.5 thousand court halls and 11 thousand residential units have been prepared for the District Judiciary”, he added.

Throwing light on the idea behind the Nyaya Sanhita to not punish citizens but to protect them, PM Modi mentioned the implementation of stricter laws for crimes against women and children, and provisions of community service for punishment for minor crimes for the first time. Modi also spoke about Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam and said that electronic and digital records have been recognized as evidence under the new laws. The Chief Justice of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud, Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court, Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice B R Gavai, Union MoS (Independent Charge) for Law & Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General of India, R Venkataramani, President of Supreme Court Bar Association, Kapil Sibbal and Chairman of Bar Council of India Manan Kumar Mishra were present on the occasion among others.