During his address, PM Modi injected a playful note, expressing hope that no one would challenge the allocation as "useless spending," a reference to past criticisms faced during the Central Vista construction. The Prime Minister's light-hearted remark playfully trolled the opposition, showcasing his ability to blend serious announcements with a touch of humor.
PM Modi commended Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud for his dedication to enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of the justice system. He reiterated the government's commitment to improving the physical infrastructure of courts, noting that over ₹7,000 crore has been disbursed since 2014 for this purpose.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to enhance the ease of justice and stressed that the entire legal system relies on the guidance provided by the Supreme Court. He asserted that accessibility to the apex court should be extended to citizens in the remotest corners of the country.
Marking the 75th year of the Supreme Court, PM Modi launched citizen-centric information and technology initiatives. The Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR) was introduced, providing access to 36,308 cases dating back to 1950 in a digital format. Additionally, a new bilingual website of the Supreme Court was inaugurated.
PM Modi acknowledged the government's initiatives in abolishing outdated colonial criminal laws and introducing new legislation, such as the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Samhita, Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These efforts have ushered legal, policing, and investigative systems into a new era.
Emphasizing the seamless transition from old laws to new ones, PM Modi highlighted ongoing training and capacity-building initiatives for government officials. He urged the Supreme Court to engage in similar capacity-building efforts for all stakeholders.
The Prime Minister expressed pride in conferring the Padma Bhushan posthumously to late Justice M. Fathima Beevi. The event saw the presence of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, various Supreme Court judges, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Adish C. Aggarwala, and Chairperson of the Bar Council of India Manan Kumar Mishra. The occasion also witnessed the government's continuous efforts to create a reliable legal framework, exemplified by the enactment of the Jan Vishwas Bill, aiming to reduce the number of pending cases and alleviate pressure on the judiciary.
