4th Lecture on the series of Lecture on “Different Facets of Indian Constitution” was organized today in the High Court of Himachal Pradesh by the HP State Legal Services Authority.The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur, Judge of Supreme Court of India, in the presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Karol, Acting Chief Justice of H.P. High Court, Shimla and Executive Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Legal Services Authority, Shimla and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary.In his inaugural address, Justice Madan B. Lokur expressed his happiness over the idea of having this lecture series to educate people about legal system of the country. Speaking on the idea of Social and economic justice enshrined in the constitution, he said that the judiciary has played a very vital role in providing justice to the down trodden section of the society through Public Interest Litigation(PIL). He said that sometime there exist laws, but are not being implemented and on the other hand there are no laws on some issues.
In both the cases, it is the duty of court to impart justice to the common people. He further said that through PIL has helped the Supreme Court and High Courts to protect the right of prisoners, poor sections of the society, women and children etc.Mr Justice Lokur said that judicial activism was necessary to impart fair justice to the common people, but it should be used judiciously. He also expressed concern over the Social and Economic justice in the society. He said, at present 60% wealth of nation was possessed by only 1% population of the country whereas, 99% population was left with only 40% wealth of the nation. He said that policy makers and economist should come up with remedies to cope up with such issues to provide economic justice to the people.Justice Lokur also facilitated 16 pro-bono Mediators/Advocates associated with H.P. State Legal Service Authority on the occasion. He also appreciated the efforts being made by the H.P. State Legal Services Authority in providing justice and helping hand to the poor and needy people of state. He also praised the idea of organizing Lok Adalat, pre-litigation programme and tree plantation by the Legal Services Authority. He also inaugurated mediation centre in the H.P. High Court premises on the occasion.While welcoming the chief guest and others, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Karol, Acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court said that India was a largest democracy having lengthiest constitution in the world. He also informed that the State Legal Services Authority was also organizing tree plantation programme all over the State in which students above 6th standard were
participating. He said that State Legal Services Authority was organizing pre-litigation programme in order to provide speedy justice to the common people. He also informed that a pre-litigation mediation adalat was organized in the High Court on 1st September, 2017, to settle the claim of 45 people who died in HRTC bus accidents on 12th and 13th August, 2017, in which 16 claims were settled and a sum of Rs.1,54,8500 was disbursed.Sh. Yashwant Singh Chogal, Administrative Officer, Himachal Pradesh Legal Services Authority present the vote of thanks on the occasion. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sureshwar Thakur, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia, Retired High Court Judges Sh. R.K. Mahajan, Sh. A.K.Goel, Sh. Kuldeep Singh Kanwar, Sh. P.S.Rana, President State Consumer Commission, Advocate General Sh. Shrawan Dogra, Additional Solicitor General of India Sh. Ashok Sharma, Dr.Baldev, Law Secretary, Sh. Rajeev Bhardwaj, Registrar General, Sh. Arvind Malhotra, Registrar Vigilance Sh. J.K. Sharma, Registrar Judicial Sh. Purender Vaidya, Registrar Administration, Sh. Prem Pal Ranta, Registrar Rules, Dr. Pravinder Singh Arora CPC, Sh. Piar Chand, Registrar, Establishment, Member Secretary Himachal Pradesh Legal Services Authority, Sh. Gaurav Mahajan, Director Judicial Academy Sh. Rakesh Kainthla, Deputy Director Judicial Academy Sh. Avinash Chander and law students and teachers from Law University and High Court employees were present on the occasion.