THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• Hon’ble Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India 

• Hon’ble Mr Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi 

• Hon’ble Judges from the Supreme Court and the High Court 

• District Judges, Lawyers

• Friends from Media, Ladies and Gentlemen 

It is indeed a memorable day for Delhi today. We all have gathered here with the aim of providing access to justice, expeditiously and effectively in National Capital Territory of Delhi. The NCT of Delhi currently has seven Court complexes. However, the ever growing and dynamic needs of Delhi, frequently underline, inadequacies of infrastructure, and hence creates a demand of more complexes for justice dispensation. 

2.    It has been felt that in a vast democracy as ours, it requires rule of law and justice, to secure the rights of the last man in the queue. It is imperative to strengthen the judicial system, in order to bridge the gap of disparity and make all efforts to diminish the inequality in the fast-changing contours of our society. 

3.    Hon’ble Chief Justice Sir, you have been, consistently taking up the issue of augmenting physical judicial infrastructure, in the interest of speedy delivery of justice. You have equally stressed on use of technology for not only speedy disposal of cases, but also ensuring fairness in investigation and trial.  I recall your speech on the occasion of the Inauguration of the New Building Complex of the Delhi High Court on 06.12.2022, wherein you had, inter alia underlined the same.  Indeed, under your guidance, governments and courts all across the country, have taken significant steps towards augmenting physical infrastructure and use of technology.     

4.    Today’s step forward, to augment the judicial infrastructure, by the addition of three new complexes, would not only meet the call of the hour, but would bring justice closer and accessible for residents of Delhi.

5.    When we stand here today at Karkardooma Courts, I am reminded of the rich heritage that the District Courts in Delhi share historically. Originally, District Courts were located in the house of Mrs. Forster, where only eight courts could be accommodated. In 1899, few rooms were rented in Abdul Rehman Building. 

6.    In 1953, twenty-two Civil Courts were moved to Hindu College Building at Skinners House. The sprawling building at Tis Hazari was established in 1958, whereas the Patiala House Courts began in 1977. Prior to that, a small number of criminal courts were functioning at Parliament Street and Shahadra, which were shifted to Patiala House. For a long time, Delhi had to suffice from these two court complexes but then Karkardooma Courts were established in 1993, and later, courts at Rohini, Dwarka and Saket were established in 2005, 2008 and 2010 respectively. The latest addition to this was the Court complex at Rouse Avenue, which is a state-of-art building.

7.    We are now making sincere attempts to outshine the other Court complexes with the new buildings at Shastri Park, Karkardooma and Rohini. These are green buildings, ensuring sustainable development. The infrastructural development would be incomplete without due regard to environment and nature. It is therefore planned that these complexes will combine modernity with preservation of ecology. 

8.    Projects such as rain water harvesting, conservation of solar energy, utilization of treated water and architectural ventures for heat mitigation, will be incorporated as our commitment towards the environment. The innovative complexes will be an amalgamation of technological and digital advancements, vital for running Courts smoothly. This is something extremely important, especially, in today's era of technology and, simultaneously, it shall be future ready. 

9.    Any progress in the society is incomplete without concerted efforts for inclusivity. All the buildings, as I have been told, will be equipped with safe and secure access irrespective of the ability for the user. Courts in Delhi cater to a large crowd every day. The preparedness for any natural disaster or calamity is mandatory for any building. The new court complexes shall therefore be, built to be earthquake resilient and shall meet all the parameters for disaster management. 

10.  The buildings shall also be equipped with infrastructure such as vulnerable witness deposition complex, state-of-art court rooms and chambers for lawyers, auditorium, helpdesks and enquiry counters. The building at Karkardooma will also have connectivity with the existing building with foot over bridge and skywalk. 

11.      Delhi has always been a flag-bearer for judicial reforms and a forerunner, in creating safe and state-of-art infrastructure within the given limitations of land. Our rich architectural heritage and the modern skyscrapers - both shape the city and provide it with its distinct identity. 

12.  In my view, these three new buildings, will exemplify, modernity, innovativeness, ease of doing business and inclusivity, and shall become important landmarks for the city. The efficiency of operation and use of technology will further boost effective justice delivery. 

13.  The foundation stone of the state-of-the-art building at Karkardooma has been laid today by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and for similar buildings at Shastri Park and Rohini, it will be done virtually in a short while.  I look forward to these as significant efforts, in the direction of, creating a fervent, resilient and effective infrastructure to serve the needs of justice. The completion of these buildings will be a laudatory step towards a just society functional on the basis of rule of law.

14.  With such dedicated buildings and workforce of learned Judges, esteemed members of the Bar and Court staff, it will now require a cooperative effort from all of us. We will have to join hands to reduce case backlogs, provide a dignified environment for litigants, lawyers and judicial officers and embrace the technological advancements, to facilitate the expeditious delivery of justice. 

15.  Martin Luther King Junior had said, and I quote, "True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of Justice". Our concerted efforts at this stage will lay a stronger foundation for the future. Our experiences and wisdom from the past, innovation from the present and farsightedness for the future, will reap us fruits of a stronger, well equipped and swift judicial system. With that, I take this opportunity to congratulate all of us here on this another, Red letter day for Delhi Judiciary.

Jai Hind.