Governor Bandaru Dattatraya said that Rule of Law was the essence of democracy and the judiciary plays a vital role in ensuring that every person gets equal treatment irrespective of one’s identity. He was speaking as the chief guest of the golden jubilee celebration of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh held here today at the Hotel Peterhoff.He said that an institution was known by the people who shape it and it was a matter of pride for us that this august institution holds the distinction of having sent as many as thirteen distinguished judges to the Supreme Court of India. Also, three Judges of this Court have adorned the Chairs of the Chief Justices of various High Courts in the country and Justice Sanjay Karol is presently the Chief Justice of Patna High Court.Shri Dattatraya said the common citizen today looks at the judiciary with great hope and expectation. He focussed on two important points, including affordability of justice and delays in our judicial process and stressed to link both of them. He expressed concern that the majority of the people could not afford to pay for the legal services and many were pushed into debt traps over small matters which linger on in our courts for years. He said that provision of free legal service and timely disposal of cases would provide the much-needed impetus to the cause of ‘Justice for all’.He said that over the years various judgments by the Supreme Court have strengthened the democracy, protected the individual and given hope to the oppressed and the needy. Whether it was the concept of the basic structure of the constitution or the right to individual liberty, we were indebted to the Supreme Court of India, he added. He said that the judgments on the issues such as prison reforms; right to die; recognition of rights of the trans genders; prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces; decriminalisation of homosexuality and in environment protection have shown the way to all of us.The Governor said that HP High Court has earned a good reputation and hoped that the same would continue in times to come. He added that since its inception, the HP High Court and the bar have been served by people who have the intellectual the depth and the required sensitivity to create an excellent institution.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice L.Narayana Swamy expressed his warm felicitations and greetings to all present on the occasion and said that he is feeling privileged to be the Chief Justice of the High Court of H.P. at this historic time when the fiftieth year of the existence of this High Court is being celebrated.Justice Swamy said that on 25th January, 1971 when H.P. State came into being, it established its own High Court with headquarters at “Ravenswood” Shimla having Justice M.H. Beg as its first Chief Justice and Justice D.B.Lal and Justice C.R. Thakur as Judges. He said that it is a matter of great pride that two Chief Justices of this High Court namely Justice M.H. Beg and Justice R.S. Pathak had the distinction of becoming Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India and Justice Pathak also became Judge of the International Court of Justice at Hague.He further added that many Chief Justices and Judges of this High Court have been elevated to the Supreme Court and such is the treasure of this High Court. He also said that judiciary has a glorious tradition, it has given wholesome meaning and healthy content to our democracy and there is every reason to be proud of this system. He said that for over half a century, the H.P. High Court has been endeavouring to uphold the rule of law by adhering to the core value of integrity, propriety, fairness and transparency and he called upon all concerned to re-dedicate themselves to march forward maintaining the same values and emulating the high standards set out by the predecessors in the pursuit of achieving excellence in the system of administration of justice.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that Himachal Pradesh High Court came into existence with the formation of Himachal Pradesh. It has glorious history and many landmark decisions have been given by this court. He said the process of giving bail during emergency period was started from this High Court and he was among the person who got bail at that time.Earlier, Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary, senior judge of Himachal Pradesh High Court welcomed the Governor and others and detailed about the glorious history of HP High court and various aspects of the long fifty year journey of this court.He also read out the felicitation message of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on the occasion.Advocate General Ashok Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.The function was organized with an objective to commemorate the glorious journey of Judiciary in Himachal Pradesh and to mark the milestone of Golden Jubilee year of Establishment of High Court of H.P. for which High Court has planned a series of events throughout the year.Judges of HP high court, former High Court Judges, Registrars of H.P High Court, Judicial Officers, ASGI, Presidents of H.P. High Court Bar Association and District Court Bar Association, Members of the Bar Association were also present on the occasion.