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Updated November 7th, 2019 at 23:34 IST

Maharashtra emerges as topper in justice delivery

A report mapping the capacity of various Indian States has put Maharashtra on top in terms of delivering justice.

Reported by: Naveen K M
Maharashtra
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A report mapping the capacity of various Indian States has put Maharashtra on top in terms of delivering justice. However, none of the states could secure more than 60% in their performance on the parameters of Police, Judiciary, Prisons and Legal Aid facilities. The report finds that vacancy across the sectors impedes justice delivery along with lack of funds and poor representation ratios. Titled as India Justice Report, the study analysed data from 18 Large and Mid-sized States (with population of over one crore each) and seven Small States (population less than one crore each) in terms of their capacity to deliver justice.

READ | Maharashtra Tops In Justice Delivery: Report

India Justice Report

The report claims of analyzing the four pillars of Justice delivery – Police, Judiciary, Prisons and Legal Aid through the prism of budgets, human resources, personnel workload, diversity, infrastructure and trends (intention to improve over a five-year period), against the State’s own declared standards and benchmarks. The assessment emphasizes on all four pillars to function harmoniously for citizens to be satisfied with Justice delivery.Speaking at the launch, Justice (retd.) Madan B. Lokur said:

“This is a pioneering study, the findings of which establish beyond doubt very serious lacunae in our Justice delivery system. It is an excellent effort to mainstream the issues concerning our Justice system, which in fact affect every aspect of society, governance and the economy. I fervently hope the Judiciary and the Government will take note of the significant findings,” 

READ | Watch: Lawyers Throng Delhi HC Premises Amid Chief Justice Hearing

Shortage of people is one of the main concerns according to the report. For instance, the country, as a whole, has about 18,200 judges with about 23% sanctioned posts vacant. Women are also poorly represented in these pillars, constituting just 7% of the Police. Dr. Arghya Sengupta, Co-Founder, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, said that for the system to function it is essential to pay attention in plugging the gap. “While there is no panacea, the one immediate step I would suggest is to get more people in. At least that would help in tackling the problem”, he said. Lack of knowledge and awareness too has exacerbates the situation as justice is not only about access but it is also about understanding the process.

READ: Delhi Police Protest In Large Numbers Demanding Justice

B.N. Srikrishna on lack of rights

“One of the problems in this country has indeed been the common people not being aware of their rights. If the people don't what they can and can't claim, then this complete reliance on system may not be very helpful hence people need to educated”, said Justice (Retd.) B.N. Srikrishna.

The ranking is part of the India Justice Report (IJR) 2019, an initiative of Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, DAKSH, TISS- Prayas and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

READ: Arvind Kejriwal Opens Up On Lawyer-police Clash; Calls It Unfortunate

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Published November 7th, 2019 at 21:54 IST

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