London, Aug 18: Regretting lack of prosecution in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Gujarat riots, former Chief Justice of India Justice J S Varma has said that the entire judicial system in India has to be improved to ensure speedy prosecution. Asked specifically why those responsible for riots particularly the 1984 anti-Sikh rights and the Gujarat riots were not brought to book so far, Varma said, "It is really unfortunate, and we have been saying that till the time all the arms of judiciary - investigation, prosecution and the entire trial process - work effectively and properly - this would continue."
"What happens is that till the time such cases reach the court of law, there are lapses in investigation and prosecution, and the court has to decide on the basis of facts before it. But it is not right to blame any particular arm of the judiciary for this mess. It is the entire judiciary that is responsible for this. We would have to improve the entire system for this!"
Bureau Report