CUTTACK: The trustworthiness on judiciary institutions in Orissa, one of the important pillars of democracy that has always occupied high pedestals, seems to be at threat now.

Lack of sufficient courts, vacancies in courts, murmur over the integrity of judicial officers and their selection procedure have now posed a threat to the credibility of judiciary, feel judicial officers, lawyers and litigants in the State.

While members of different Bars have time again expressed concern over these pertinent issues, people in general have started losing faith in justice dispensing system, says Orissa HC Bar Association secretary Asim Amitabh Das."When other pillars of the democratic system appears to crumble, the teeming millions look at judiciary for protection of their life, liberty, property and all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Unfortunately, the judiciary is not able to deliver in accordance to people's expectations," he adds.

Chaotic situation

Former Orissa advocate general and a senior lawyer of the High Court, Gangadhar Rath, feels that judiciary alone cannot be blamed for the current chaotic situation in the State. The government should come forward with sufficient number of courts and appoint persons of high integrity to officiate the courts. "Unless sufficient numbers of capable persons are posted as judges, the backlog of cases would continue to pose threat to the credibility of judiciary system, warns Rath. Among the threats to judiciary, the pending and backlog of cases pose serious threat to the credibility of the institutions in Orissa. Of late, courts in Orissa have witnessed an upward trend in backlog of cases. At the end of September 2006, over ten lakh civil and criminal cases were pending in different subordinate courts of the State.

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