Central government forms committee to simplify statutes to be understood by layperson: PM Narendra Modi

In an attempt to bring law to common masses, the Central government has constituted a committee to examine simplifying law and statutes so that it can be understood by layperson, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said on Saturday. .The basis of justice is law and it, therefore, needs to be in language which is understood by common man, the PM underscored. Law with its legal jargon is mostly frowned upon by common man, he said. "Law has legal verbose bit and while other is what common people can understand. We are also trying to have this in future. So that law is there one in legal language and one in common man language. I have formed a committee to study it," the PM said. PM Modi cited the example of the historic literature like the Shastras which mentions that the "basis of swaraj in any country is justice.""Until the basis of justice is not understood by common men, it will not be of use," PM Modi added in his speech.In this regard, the PM also highlighted how proceedings in High Courts and Supreme Court are currently in English."The entire process of justice is difficult to be grasped by common men."As solution to this lurking issue, PM Modi said,"We have to make local languages a part of the local courts. People will have more faith in India's legal system...we are thinking why cannot be technical and medical education be in Indian language? Even a village born can also access this education then and this is also social justice and language plays an important role in this."The PM was speaking at a joint conference of Chief Ministers (CM) and Chief Justices (CJ) of High Courts. The PM in his speech also highlighted the importance of strengthening the judiciary and to develop systems to ensure effective justice delivery when India celebrates 100 years of freedom struggle in 2047. The PM also urged Chief Ministers and Chief Justices to prioritise cases of undertrial prisoners. "I urge all CMs and Chief Justices on the basis of humanitarian law to give urgency to case of undertrial prisoners and also look at the long pending cases and if it can be solved through mediation," he said. .On the efforts being taken by the government in contributing to effective justice delivery through improved infrastructure and efforts in the direction, PM Modi emphasized that "the scope of technology has expanded in the judiciary" and that E-courts is being implemented on a mission mode. "The Executive is trying to increase judicial strength and improve judicial infrastructure," the Court said. Calling attention to the success of the Digital India project that has allowed a wide majority of Indian to avail services on phone, PM Modi said that when people are getting access for everything on phone they will aspire to get justice also in same way."We have started case management softwares and we are also striving to fill vacancies. States also have a big role to play in this," he added.