The judicial renaissance

Remember a time when our country was ranked amongst the worst in terms of the time taken in the completion of a trial. Well, the figures still remain unshaken. However, the proactive stance of our judiciary in the recent decade has instilled a new hope in the common citizen of our country. While the media is inundated with reports of our esteemed courts rapping the legislative and the executive, what is more poignant is that the courts are increasingly moving into a domain of what can be termed as activism.

While the common perception of the lower courts being mere instruments in the hands of the incumbent has not been altered, owing to the reports of dubious judgments coming in all the time, the corrective measures of the apex court has lent a more reinvigorating voice to the responsible citizens of our country. The suo moto cognizance of the important matters like the 2G scam and the brazen disapproval of government's lethargy in brining back the black money stashed abroad has to be appreciated. Empowerment of our society needs a protector at all times, since the government can always move in to stifle the public appraisal of unfavorable situations arising these days. The decision to transfer matters of national interest to special benches and the willingness to conduct day-to-day trials of sensitive cases shows an alertness on behalf of our courts, which we should be thankful of. One can only imagine the progress of our country if the investigative agencies too pulled up their socks and not drag cases like the Godhra riots and 2G scam to eternity. Catching the culprit is important, but more important is to bring them to justice in a speedy manner. Accountability is a powerful weapon, it is also a right of every citizen of this country. Let's hope the activism grows!