Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant laid the foundation stone of the Mandi Judicial Court Complex, to be constructed with cost of Rs.152 crore, at Mandi on Sunday in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and other judges of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Later , addressing a legal literacy camp the CJI said , “ Judicial complexes need to function like hospitals where people go with hope and the judicial system should also work with the same spirit of service as people come to courts with the expectation of relief and justice’.
He said, “With increasing facilities, the responsibility of the judicial system is also increasing ; everyone today talks about fundamental rights, but fundamental duties are also an integral part of the Constitution and should be followed”, he added .
He said, “ Mandi is also known as Chhoti Kashi, where millions of people visit with great devotion and today the foundation of a temple of justice is being laid at this place, which will soon be completed.”
He said, “It is necessary to make people aware of their fundamental rights and similar programmes should be organized at grassroots level so that awareness about fundamental duties can also increase”.
CJI said, “The love and respect of the people has brought him to Himachal Pradesh again and he feels honoured by their affection.”
Welcoming the CJI, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in his address said, “Ensuring access to justice and rights for every citizen of the state is the commitment of the state government and the government is working towards inclusive development and social justice in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution”
He said, “Through education, healthcare, social security and transparent administration, the government is ensuring that every citizen gets equal opportunities and the roots of democracy become stronger”.
Chief Justice of HP High Court Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia in his address said, “Today’s discussion is the result of collective efforts to ensure that justice reaches every individual; the justice is not limited to courtrooms but also includes awareness of rights, access to legal aid and providing timely assistance,” he added.
Judges of Himachal Pradesh High Court and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
