Delay in justice leads to rise in terrorism: Judge

The Supreme Court judge and chairman of mediation and conciliation project committee, Justice R.V. Raveendran, opined here on Saturday that delay in justice is leading to spurt in terrorism, especially Naxalism.

Addressing a sensitisation programme on mediation and conciliation, he said the process of judicial system was time-consuming and the common man was afraid of approaching the courts.

He said that a rich man can settle his issue by using money or muscle power, but a common citizen could not afford it. Australia and the United States have adopted mediation and conciliation system and settled 90 per cent of cases, he added.

Justice Raveendran said the panchayat system has failed due to interference by zamindars, caste leaders and politicians.

He said that initially a village panchayat system functioned well and yielded good results, but people lost trust in the system when it went into the hands of politicians, caste leaders and landlords..

“Later the circumstances forced us to adopt the judicial system of the Britishers,” he added.

Justice Raveendran felt that there was ambiguity in meaning and definition of Section 89 and 89 (D) of the Civil Procedure Code.

He said that to introduce meditation and conciliation, Parliament passed the Bill in a hurry which led to ambiguity and judicial officers should be cautious while interpreting the Section.

Referring to functions of Lok Adalats, the judge said that they have been conducted by sitting or retired judges.

They have succeeded in road accident and petty cases but not complicated ones where matrimonial and civil disputes are involved.