Srinagar, May 14 (UNI) Chief Justice of India Justice N V Ramana on Saturday said for the functioning of a healthy democracy, it is imperative that the people feel that their rights and dignity are protected and recognised. He said denial of justice would ultimately lead to anarchy.

 The CJI said this while addressing a function during the laying the foundation stone of the New High Court Complex, in Srinagar. The CJI began his speech with the Urdu couplet “Muddaton baad jo aayaa hoon is vaadi mein, Ik naya husn, naya rang nazar aata hai (I have come to this valley after ages. I can see a new beauty, new colour). In his address Justice Ramana said expeditious adjudication of disputes is the hallmark of a healthy democracy.

 “Denial of justice would ultimately lead to anarchy. Soon the institution of judiciary would be destabilized as people will look for extrajudicial mechanisms,” the CJI said. He said peace shall only prevail, when people's dignity and rights are recognized and protected. “In our country, Courts have the constitutional duty of adjudication of rights and upholding the aspirations of our Constitution. One of the major challenges to the protection of rule of law and human rights is the inability of the formal justice system to deliver speedy and affordable justice to all. The justice delivery mechanism in India is very complex and expensive,” he said. Justice Ramana said the judiciary must be at its innovative best to ensure that the challenges to its working are met with just and Constitutional measures. “Technology has been a strong aid to the judiciary.

 Now, virtual courts are bridging the gaps of accessibility by reducing time, cost and distance. But in a country like India, where a vast digital divide still exists, much needs to be done in order to harness the full potential of technological innovations,” he said. He said he was extremely glad to be laying the foundation stone of the New High Court Complex, in Srinagar. He said they are far behind in making Courts inclusive and accessible. “..I have consistently emphasized the need for development and modernization of infrastructure. Sadly, post-independence, judicial infrastructure has not been over-hauled to meet the demands of growing needs of modern India.

We are far behind in making our Courts inclusive and accessible. If we don't attend to this urgently, the Constitutional ideal of access to justice would stand defeated,” he said He said the District judiciary is the foundation of the judiciary. “Only if the foundation is strong, the entire system can flourish. As I have mentioned earlier, the condition of judicial infrastructure across the country is far from satisfactory. Courts are operating from rented accommodations and under deplorable conditions,” he said. “Now, you have the advantage of 100% funding by the Central Government. You all should work in a coordinated manner to fill the gaps.” Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also addressed the gathering.