Facing unique challenges, the Indian legal system was in bad need of fixing, said the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, today.
Citing the delays in trial, the Chief Justice reminded that there have been cases where people were found innocent after spending decades in jail as undertrials. Gavai also advised young lawyers not to pursue foreign degrees abroad, putting their families under debt.
Addressing the annual convocation of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad, CJI BR Gavai said, “Our legal system is in bad need of fixing and I remain cautiously optimistic that my fellow citizens will rise to the challenges.”
Citing the ills plaguing the legal system, CJI further said, “Our country and our legal system are facing unique challenges. Delays in trials can sometimes go for decades. We have seen cases where someone has been found innocent after spending years in jail as an undertrial, and the best talent can help us resolve the problems.”
The CJI also spoke about the challenges of the legal profession, pointing out that it could be emotionally isolating and mentally demanding. He also had a word of caution for those seeking foreign degrees. He reminded young students that they should not go for huge loans, putting the family under financial stress, to acquire foreign degrees just for validation. Instead, he advised them to secure scholarships to pursue foreign degrees.
He warned about “Years of debt, anxiety, and career decisions made under financial burden,” once young graduates take loans worth Rs 50-Rs 70 lakh to pursue a master’s degree in foreign universities.
The CJI later spoke at Osmania University on Dr BR Ambedkar’s contribution to the Indian Constitution. Pointing out how the Indian Constitution differed from that of the US Constitution, where each state had its own Constitution, Gavai reminded that Ambedkar had said that to keep India united, the situation warranted a single Constitution, applicable to all citizens and all the states.
“In the journey of the last 75 years, though we had many external aggressions, internal disturbances, but India has always remained strong and united and in my respectful opinion the contribution of the Constitution of India in keeping the country strong is totally invaluable,” said CJI.