CJI Gavai, SC judges call for Bar-Bench unity, women-led legal future
Held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), the conference titled 'In Conversation with the Bar: A Shared Vision for Legal Transformation' aimed to strengthen collaboration between the Bar and Bench in delivering justice to the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly in frontier regions.
'Presiding over the conference, Chief Justice Gavai, who also serves as Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, emphasised the judiciary's constitutional mandate to ensure last-mile access to justice, especially for marginalised and underprivileged communities.
'NALSA, under the leadership of Justice Surya Kant and in future, Justice Vikram Nath, will continue to pave the way for a stronger, more inclusive justice delivery system,' CJI Gavai said.
'Women empowerment remains a cornerstone of this vision,' he added.
He concluded his address with a stirring call for national integration, quoting the iconic lyric,
'Chhodo kal ki baatein, kal ki baat purani, aao milkar likhein nayi kahani, hum hain Hindustani.'
Delivering the keynote address, Justice Surya Kant, Executive Chairman of NALSA, highlighted the growing presence of women in the legal profession in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
'The future of the justice delivery system in this region will largely be led by women, whether from the Bar or on the Bench,' he declared, celebrating the emerging generation of women advocates and judges as torchbearers of reform.
The conference also featured insights from several other Supreme Court judges, each of whom focused on key structural and regional concerns:
Justice N. Kotiswar Singh advocated for a dedicated High Court bench in Ladakh and enhanced infrastructure for women advocates, including exclusive chambers.
Justice Rajesh Bindal called for upgrading technological infrastructure across the district courts of J&K and Ladakh.
Justice P.S. Narasimha emphasised that 'the Bar and Bench are two wheels of the same chariot,' lauding the adaptability and dedication of the legal community.
Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha also addressed the gathering, reinforcing NALSA's vision of inclusive justice rooted in grassroots engagement.
Chief Justice Arun Palli of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh welcomed the dignitaries and acknowledged the enthusiasm and intellectual depth of the region's young legal professionals.
'Our young lawyers possess clarity of thought and a strong command over law, while our senior advocates continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism,' he said.
The conference marked a significant milestone in NALSA's ongoing efforts to democratise access to justice in remote and underserved areas.
With the presence of the Chief Justice of India, multiple Supreme Court judges, and regional judicial leadership, the event sent a clear message: that the Bar and Bench are united in their mission to strengthen legal empowerment, promote gender inclusion, and modernise judicial infrastructure in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. UNI SNG SSP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Unconstitutional': Himachal high court strikes down clause regularising govt land encroachments
Shimla: In a ruling with wide ramifications, the Himachal Pradesh high court on Tuesday struck down Section 163-A of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act, 1952, which allowed the state govt to frame rules for regularisation of encroachments on govt land, calling it "manifestly arbitrary and unconstitutional". A division bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Bipin Chander Negi observed that by "condoning the illegal acts of the violators," the state was treating "lawbreakers equal to those persons who abide by the law". Section 163-A was added to the Act in 2002 during the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP govt's tenure. The court directed the state govt to remove all encroachments by Feb 28, 2026, and to initiate suitable proceedings against the encroachers. The bench noted that there are approximately 57,549 cases of land encroachment across the state, covering an area of around 10,320 hectares (1.23 lakh bighas). The court also vacated any existing stays on the removal of these encroachments. Disposing of a petition filed by one Punam Gupta and others in 2002, the court directed the state govt to take action against the revenue authorities in whose jurisdiction land has been permitted to be encroached upon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Female Athletes Right Now Undo "It promotes dishonesty and encourages violation of law. Significantly, no action stands taken against the erring officials, who, in connivance, allowed such encroachments to happen throughout the state. It is not that thousands of encroachments came up overnight. The officials failed to discharge their duties. The functionaries adopted an ostrich-like attitude and approach," observed the bench. Taking into account the magnitude of encroachments on govt land, the court directed that the state govt should consider an amendment in the law pertaining to "criminal trespass" by bringing it in consonance with the amendments made in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Orissa. The state govt was also directed to make changes in the law to make municipal office bearers, as well as executive officer or commissioner, accountable to report encroachments and take action for their removal, or face consequences for violation of duty. 'Adverse possession law not applicable to govt land' The high court also reminded the state govt of a Supreme Court judgment in "State of Haryana vs Mukesh Kumar," urging it to consider removing a provision from Section 163 of the HP Land Revenue Act. This provision had allowed encroachers to claim title to govt land through the law of adverse possession. The bench clarified that adverse possession pleas would not be available in cases where land has been acquired for a public purpose. In such instances, the encroacher will not only face removal but also be liable to pay use and occupation charges, as well as for any benefits derived from the property. BOX 'Sec 163-A amendment violates edifice of law' The division bench held, "If the impugned provision (Section 163 A) is permitted to remain in the statute, it would defeat the very purpose for which the statute was created." The court observed that in the Act, there exists Section 163, whereby a detailed mechanism has been provided for the removal of encroachment from govt land. But the amendment in the Act by adding Section 163-A violates the very edifice of the principal statute and allows the regularisation of the encroachment. "It is destructive of the aim and object of the parent statute; it defeats its laudable object; it defies the constitutional provisions; it is demonstratively and excessively contradictory and mutually destructive," said the bench. MSID:: 123119798 413 |
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
US federal court redirects border agents to stop deportations, overriding President Trump's asylum ban
Washington, Aug 5 (UNI) In an upset to US President Donald Trump's anti-immigration stance, a federal court has redirected American border troops to stop their deportation of migrants, ruling that presidential order could not be used to cut off humanitarian support for potential asylum seekers, two Department of Homeland Security officials told CBS News. Asylum and migration have been one of the cornerstones of the second Trump administration, with border agents allowed full hand to deport illegal migrants without valid permits. The move did indeed manage to curb immigration by a massive degree, particularly from the US-Mexico border, which recorded the lowest level of migration so far. The scale of deportations by the Trump administration has been unprecedented, with border agents not allowing any asylum seekers to enter in a bid to undo the damage caused by the alien 'invasion' under the previous Biden administration, where immigration was noted to be at its highest. On Friday, a federal appeals court lifted its pause on a lower judge's ruling that found Trump's decree to be in violation of US asylum laws. While the appellate court narrowed the lower court's order, saying that the POTUS' proclamation could be used to pause access to the asylum system, it also ruled the US government could not disregard other laws that bar officials from deporting migrants to places where they could be tortured or persecuted. Officials at Customs and Border Protection were instructed this weekend to halt deportations, thus effectively cancelling Trump's proclamation and to process migrants under the US immigration law, which affords foreigners on American soil the right to request humanitarian refuge, the two anonymous DHS officials said. While the court order could potentially reopen Washington's asylum system, it is unlikely to affect the status of those found crossing the southern border illegally. These people will likely remain detained while officials vet their claims. The Trump administration has largely stopped the practice of releasing migrants onto American soil while they await their court dates, limiting releases to cases involving extraordinary circumstances. The Justice Department could also try to get Friday's court order suspended by the Supreme Court, in a bid to revive the POTUS' asylum ban. In a statement to CBS News late Monday, CBP said Friday's court order affirmed "the President's authority to deny asylum to aliens participating in an invasion into the United States." CBP said the Trump administration is "committed to ensuring that aliens illegally entering the United States face consequences for their criminal actions." "This includes prosecution to the fullest extent of the law and rapid removal from the United States," the agency added. "CBP will continue to process illegal/inadmissible aliens consistent with law, including mandatory detention and expedited removal." UNI XC ANV GNK
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
SYL talks: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann floats Chenab plan to resolve water dispute
Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday urged the Centre to duly utilise water of the Chenab to resolve the long-pending water dispute between Punjab and Haryana by shelving the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) issue. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After attending a meeting of Punjab and Haryana CMs called by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil over the SYL issue, Mann said that during the last meeting held on July 9, the Centre said that the with Pakistan had been suspended. This opens up a major opportunity for India to utilise water from the Chenab river, one of the western rivers earlier given to Pakistan under the treaty. Mann said the Centre should now divert Chenab's water to Indian dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, or Bhakra. To carry this extra water, new canals and infrastructure could be built in Punjab, he suggested. Mann said that such canals and infrastructure could be first used to meet the needs of Punjab, after which the water could be supplied to Haryana and Rajasthan through the same canal system. "Using Chenab water will reduce Punjab's dependence on groundwater, revive surface irrigation, and support the farming community. Waters of the western rivers should be allocated to Punjab on a priority basis," he said, adding that new storage dams upstream of existing Bhakra and Pong Dams in Himachal Pradesh should be constructed to significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters. Batting for the shelving of the SYL canal issue, Mann said that the Sarda-Yamuna link for the transfer of surplus Sarda water to the Yamuna river and the diversion of Chenab water to the Beas river through the Rohtang tunnel should be done to eliminate the need for the SYL canal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to him, the long-conceived project of the Sharda-Yamuna Link should be taken up on priority basis, and surplus water should be transferred to the Yamuna river at a suitable location. He said that the additional water made available could offset the balance water requirement of the state of Haryana from the Ravi-Beas system, apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of Delhi and the availability of the Yamuna water to Rajasthan. Mann pointed out that the SYL canal was an "emotive issue" over which Punjab could have serious law and order issues, with Haryana and Rajasthan bearing the brunt too. SOME POSITIVE HEADWAY Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said discussions took place in a good atmosphere. "The Supreme Court had said that if this issue can be resolved through talks, meetings should be held. We hope that some steps could be taken forward. There is no fight between the people of Punjab and Haryana. The issue has been politicised. Both chief ministers and the Jal Shakti Minister held the meeting, and some positivity has emerged from the discussion. A path forward can be created, for which a meeting will be held before the 13th... I hope I was successful in presenting Punjab's perspective, and I hope the Centre will consider it," said Mann. TAKES POT SHOTS AT CENTRE Taking pot-shots at the Centre, CM Mann said he hoped that the decision on the Indus Water Treaty would not be reversed. "I hope that US President Donald Trump doesn't post something on X (formerly Twitter) saying, 'I have revived the Indus Water Treaty.' The treaty should stay suspended as it will help Punjab get more water. Punjab has to use it to grow good and give it to the country." He was speaking to media persons after the Centre's meeting on SYL.
