Lucknow: Union Law Minister M Veerappa
Moily on Sunday said the Centre has initiated the process to bring
judicial reforms for speedy disposal of cases and ensuring
accountability.
"We are in process of implementing judicial reforms
wherein any case should not exceed for more than three years
time in the court for which a law on right to justice is
being framed," Moily told reporters at Uttar Pradesh Congress
headquarters here.
The minister said after judicial reforms, disposal of
corruption cases will take a maximum of one year. "Once this
system is in place every court will literally become a fast
track court."
The Law Ministry has asked the Chief Justices of all
the 24 High Courts to send details on the pending cases of
corruption.
"The ministry has asked the details, which we expect
to get in three months after which speedy trail will be
ensured. In fact the Chief Justice of India has asked the
state CJs to fast track corruption cases," Moily said.
The Law Minister said 5,000 gramin nyayalaya (rural
courts) will be established with a cost of Rs 5,000 crore.
"Nearly 50 per cent cases will be redressed by these courts."
Moily noted a bill to check benami and illegal
properties was also under consideration of the government.
"A lot of programmes are being implemented in this
direction for which Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated," he
said.
On the issue of Central Vigilance Commissioner P J
Thomas, the minister said that the matter was subjudice and
pending before the Supreme Court. "I don`t think I should
speak about it, but a question was put by the SC before the
Attorney General that whether the palmoline case was put
before the collegium, the AG has categorically said no."
On ensuring free and fair elections, Moily who was
here to attend regional consultation on electoral reforms
said, comprehensive reform will be made in the electoral
process to stop criminals, communalisation and mafia
domination.
"The reform process aims at ensuring 100 per cent free
and fair elections and it is the biggest exercise taken after
the independence," he said.
On Opposition`s demand for JPC probe into 2G scam,
Moily said the criminal side was being investigated by the
CBI.
"The matter is also being investigated by the PAC
headed by Murli Manohar Joshi. What space is available for
the JPC is to be looked into?" he argued.
The law minister said a meeting of opposition leaders
has been called on February 8 for a disruption free budget
session.
PTI
