‘No innocent is punished, no guilty is spared’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju today said amendments to the rules for determining fake and false news and misrepresentation need a lot of deliberations before being enforced.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Legal Aid office at Budgam, Rijiju said that the definition of fake news, false news and misrepresentation are all important things which require a lot of deliberations.
“We are looking towards making certain amendments in the entire election process. I cannot give any commitment because it is a consultation process which is going on. So the definition of fake news, false news and misrepresentation … these are all important things which require a lot of deliberations. We are doing it,”
On National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah’s call for unity in the Opposition camp for taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in elections, the Minister said it only shows the strength of the party. “That shows that the BJP is very strong,” he said.
Rijiju evaded a direct reply on holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said he cannot make announcements on election timings.
“I cannot clear the dates here. As I am the Law and Justice Minister, I am the Administrative Minister of the Election Commission. So, I cannot make an announcement here. The election will be announced in due course,” he added.
Asked about allegations levelled by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, regarding her passport, the Minister said “a passport is issued by the Home Ministry”.
The Minister in presence of Chief Justice of High Court, Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Tashi Rabstan, Executive Chairman JKLSA today inaugurated the office of Legal Aid Defense Counsel at ADR Centre in District Court Complex Budgam.
During his visit to Budgam, the Union Minister also presided over an awareness programme on Legal Assistance at Pre-arrest, Arrest and Remand Stage at Conference Hall Budgam.
In his presidential address, Rijiju said that the Legal Aid Defense Counsel system would be fruitful in helping the marginalized sections of society, who have no access to justice. Further, he emphasized the importance of such awareness programmes on providing Legal Assistance at pre-arrest, arrest and remand stage to the down trodden people of the society, thereby giving a meaning to access to justice.
Praising people of Jammu and Kashmir as hearty and always overwhelming, the Minister said they have full faith in Justice delivery system.
He said Kashmir is a paradise on earth, and people here have to live happily on this paradise.
Lauding the role of J&K Legal Services Authority, the Union Minister said that it is ensuring delivery of justice in an efficient and competent manner across the UT.
He said that objective of organizing awareness regarding Legal aid services is to aware people about their legal rights and access to the justice delivery system. He said that Constitutional rights should not only be upheld but also promoted.
The Union Minister emphasized on empowerment of citizens with legal Literacy and said PLVs are playing important role in bridging the gap between citizens and legal aid providers through Nyaya Bandhu & Tele- Law Services by both offline and digital services.
He emphasised that Nyaya Bandhu & Tele- Law Services are instrumental way to provide legal aid to the deserving.
Rijiju said that doors of justice are open to all without any discrimination of rich and poor and it is being ensured that no innocent is punished and no guilty is spared.
He added that Union Government has taken various initiatives to reduce the pendency of cases in all courts and to ensure prompt justice delivery and measures have been taken to ensure citizens including those living in remotest areas of the Country have easy access to the justice.
The Union Minister along with Chief Justice of High Court of J& K and Executive chairman JK LSA also handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lacs as interim victim compensation to the parents of the deceased victim of Soibugh murder case.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh in his key note address stressed to make the judicial system accessible to every citizen, so that the judiciary comes up to the expectations of the litigants. The Chief Justice urged the people to take the services of legal aid in the most efficient manner. He also enlightened the audience about the sanctity of the preamble of the Constitution of India, which provides access to justice for all especially the marginalized section of society and that too free of cost. He further emphasized that Legal Services Authority are playing the role of a bridge between judiciary and various other departments. He urged that all the stakeholders have to work conjointly for the welfare of people.
Executive Chairman J&K Legal Services Authority Justice Tashi Rabstan also threw light on the importance of such aids for having an access to justice for the people who actually need it. He further threw light on the functioning of the Legal Aid Defense Counsels and urged the selected counsels to work for the people who by reason of economic or any other disadvantageous position are not able to have their grievances redressed.
Besides, other dignitaries from High Court present on the occasion were Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Puneet Gupta, Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi.
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