The National Seminar on Access to Justice and the Rule of Law, with Special Reference to Northeast India, held at Andaman Law College, turned into a powerful call for urgent judicial reforms as jurists, academics, students, and activists came together to highlight the mounting challenges in India’s justice system.
Central to the discussion was the issue of case pendency, with Praveen Patel, National Convener of the Forum for Fast Justice, proposing the creation of a “National Litigation Assembly” to address the growing backlog. He cautioned that persistent delays in the legal process are undermining public trust in the judiciary, a trend that threatens the very foundations of India’s democracy.
Speakers underscored how backlogs directly affect human rights, leaving litigants without timely relief or protection under the law. The impact, they said, is particularly severe for marginalized communities, where prolonged litigation often translates to denied justice and continued hardship.
Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, added a broader perspective, warning that an expansive definition of crime risks normalizing injustice in society and inadvertently encouraging criminality. He emphasized that justice itself is evolving, and India must grapple with the rising challenges of jurisprudence and constitutionality.
Forum Chairman and Managing Trustee, Bhagavanji Raiyani, drew attention to the staggering figure of over five crore pending cases across India, including 82,000 in the Supreme Court as of November. He noted that inadequate budget allocation has compounded the crisis, making judicial delays an urgent issue that civil society must no longer ignore.
From a local perspective, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman, Manoj Kumar Meena, encouraged law students to study the causes of delays in criminal cases in the Islands. He stressed that localized research could offer vital insights into systemic challenges while also preparing future advocates to actively contribute to solutions.
Additional District Judge of Sri Vijaya Puram, Neyaz Alam, shared his judicial experiences, offering a first-hand account of the practical obstacles faced in ensuring timely justice. His insights reinforced the argument that reforms must not only be conceptual but also address ground-level realities in courts.
In his concluding remarks, Rashid Yusoof, State President of A & N Society for Fast Justice, extended gratitude to the Government and the A & N Administration for establishing Andaman Law College. He highlighted the institution’s role in expanding opportunities for Island students: “Today, the dreams of many parents, especially from humble backgrounds, to see their children become lawyers and advocates can finally be realized. With affordable legal education now available right here in the Andamans, the future of law and justice in the Islands shines brighter than ever.”
The seminar successfully brought together diverse voices, academics, jurists, legal professionals, students, and civil society activists, under one platform, with a common message: judicial reforms are no longer optional but essential. Addressing systemic delays, strengthening court infrastructure, and ensuring fair budget allocation are critical steps if India is to uphold timely justice and reinforce faith in its democratic institutions.
