Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: Under the guidance and patronage of Chief Patron of State Judicial Academy, Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Committee of Judges, State Judicial Academy (Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, Chairman and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal, Member), Jammu and Kashmir State Judicial Academy today conducted one day Special Training programme on Motor Accident Claims cases; Powers and Jurisdiction of Special Judges under Prevention of Corruption Act and NDPS Act and Procedure to be adopted; Participatory Role of Judges in Criminal Trials S-165 Evidence Act and S-540 CrPC for District and Sessions Judges of Jammu province.
The proceedings were conducted by Abdul Rashid Malik, Director, J&K State Judicial Academy. He welcomed Justice Janak Raj Kotwal, Justice J.P. Singh and M.K. Hanjura, Registrar General, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and participating officers. He gave an overview of the programme and deliberated on the need for organizing such programmes.
In his inaugural address, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal deliberated on the topic “Participatory Role of Judges in Criminal Trials S-165 Evidence Act and S-540 CrPC”. He gave practical instances and suggested remedial measures to do away with delays in civil and criminal cases. He enlightened the participants regarding ways and means which they can adopt to avoid unnecessary delays.
He suggested that framing of charges at the earliest possible stage and recording of evidence and calling of experts like Doctor, FSL experts etc in the initial stage will certainly helps in curbing delays. He cleared various confusions and doubts which the participants had about the various legal provisions and procedures.
In the 2nd Session of the programme, Justice J.P. Singh, Member, State Accountability Commission dealt in detail on the topics “Powers and Jurisdiction of Special Judges under Prevention of Corruption Act and NDPS Act – Procedure to be adopted” and “Motor Accident Claims cases : Awarding just and proper compensation to children, house wives and disabled – Adoption of proper multiplier in light of Sarla Verma’s case. All the participants took active part in the deliberations and Justice JP Singh cleared confusions and doubts which the participants had about the various legal provisions and procedures.
In the last Session, M.K. Hanjura, Registrar General, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir showed concern on arrears of cases in the subordinate courts. He impressed upon the District and Sessions Judges to adopt appropriate strategy to clear the backlog. Registrar General also conveyed the District Judges to ensure disposal of cases which are pending for more than 5 years and advised them to re-invent themselves and adopt innovative methods to reduce the arrears.