Robust judicial system vital for safeguarding citizens’ rights: C J Kotiswar

Bandipora, July 15: Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice N. Kotiswar Singh on Saturday emphasized the importance of a robust judicial system in ensuring the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of citizens.
The Chief Justice inaugurated the New Court Complex at Gurez here and addressed a huge gathering on the occasion. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi (virtually); Principal Secretary to Chief Justice, M.K Sharma; Principal and District Sessions Judge, Bandipora, Amit Sharma; Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad; SSP Bandipora, Lakshay Sharma; Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Shayesta Nazir; members of the Bar Association Gurez and representatives from the legal fraternity.
The Chief Justice said the inauguration of the Court Complex at Gurez marks a significant step forward in enhancing access to justice for the people of the region. With the latest facilities and a dedicated team of legal professionals, the complex is expected to expedite the legal processes, reduce case backlogs, and provide timely justice to those in need, he said.
Justice N. Kotiswar Singh expressed his gratitude to the district administration of Bandipora, the judiciary, and all stakeholders involved in making Court Complex at Gurez a reality. “This infrastructure development is a testament to the commitment to strengthening the justice delivery system and ensuring swift and fair resolution of disputes,” he said.
Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi in her address on the occasion said that the judiciary has always ensured justice to remote areas of the country and the visit of Chief Justice to Gurez for the inauguration of the new court complex is one such example. She said the new court complex at Gurez will ensure the delivery of justice to the people of the sub-division.
Principal and District Sessions Judge while speaking on the occasion informed that the newly-constructed Court Complex boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern courtrooms equipped with advanced technology to streamline proceedings. “The complex also houses administrative offices, conference rooms, and a dedicated space for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, providing a comprehensive framework to cater to the diverse needs of the legal community and the public,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais on the occasion said the newly-constructed complex, valued at Rs 4.67 crore will serve as a symbol of justice and reinforce the commitment to providing efficient and accessible legal services to the people of Gurez.
After inaugurating the New Court Complex, the Chief Justice interacted with members of Bar Association Gurez, the local community and discussed various issues and concerns with them. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the legal community in Gurez and assured them of his unwavering support in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system.
Later, Chief Justice inaugurated Legal Literacy Club at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Dawar, which aimed to empower young minds with essential legal knowledge and foster a sense of legal responsibility among them.
The Chief Justice also presided over a legal awareness programme on drug abuse and eradication of drugs, which included informative sessions, presentations, skits and interactive discussions on various legal topics. He advised them to stay away from the drugs in life at all costs and in any situation. “Drug abuse is a big challenge in our society and we collectively need to raise voices against it and save our children and youth from this menace,” he said.