Chief Justice NV Ramana on Saturday while highlighting the shortcomings in the criminal justice system said that the process becomes a punishment.
He said issues like hasty, indiscriminate arrests, difficulty in obtaining bail and prolonged incarceration of under trials needs urgent attention.
The Chief Justice spoke about a holistic approach to administration of justice and added that training and sensitisation of the police and modernisation of the prison system is one facet of improving the system.
He also spoke about the political situation in the country and sais political opposition is translating into hostility which is not a sign of a healthy democracy and asserted that strong parliamentary democracy demands "strengthening the Opposition as well".
There used to be mutual respect between the government and the Opposition, but the space for opposition is diminishing and laws are being passed without detailed deliberation and scrutiny, he lamented at an event here.
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The CJI said the people expect the court to stand as a counterweight to legislative and executive excess and this gains gravity, particularly whenever the Opposition is missing in action.
Instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious, he said.
“The diversity of opinion enriches polity and society. Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we are sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy,” CJI Ramana said.