No toilets for women in courts, respect senior colleagues: Seven things CJI NV Ramana said at the BCI event

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana was felicitated by the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Saturday at an event held in the presence of Supreme Court judges, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and other top law officers..CJI Ramana not only highlighted issues related to judicial infrastructure, but also stressed on how younger members of the Bar must respect seniors and women colleagues. .Here are seven points made by CJI Ramana during the event..1. After 75 years of independence, one would expect 50 per cent of women representation at all levels but we have been able to achieve only 11 per cent at the Supreme Court..2. On corporatization of the legal profession, I see many bright you lawyers are joining law firms. This is causing a decline in traditional practice. Common people cannot afford these firms, lakhs of people are unable to access courts for justice..3. The judicial system is facing deficiency in infrastructure, shortage of judges and staff. These are hard facts. India needs a National Judicial Infrastructure Commission. I have seen this physically in my High Court days that women don't have toilets! .4. A lawyer needs to be an all-rounder and (have a) versatile personality and must know about several fields like economics, law, literature etc. I call upon all of you to help the needy, the poor and the disadvantaged. Please extend legal aid..5. To young members of the Bar, seniority has immense value. Always respect seniors...respect women colleagues and treat them with dignity. You are the frontline of the legal institution and you must protect the institution from mala fide and motivated attacks..6. Connectivity is a big issue. We have told the Law Minister that internet connectivity needs to be increased in rural areas. I request the Law Minister to provide ISP in rural talukas so that lawyers can access hearings. District lawyers are appearing in mofussil courts..7. The Bar and the Bench should interact with each other and I believe we should not live in ivory towers..[Read Full Speech].[Read a live account of the event]

No toilets for women in courts, respect senior colleagues: Seven things CJI NV Ramana said at the BCI event

Debayan Roy

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