Date:01/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/01/stories/2007040114140400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Patil concerned over Government's disregard for court judgments

Special Correspondent

Nearly 50,000 verdicts given by various courts yet to be implemented

`Non-implementation of rulings is forcing people to approach goondas to settle disputes'

BANGALORE: Karnataka is yet to implement nearly 50,000 judgments delivered by various courts in the past several years, according to the former Law Minister H.K. Patil.

This trend not only showed disregard for the judgments but also amounted to ignoring the existence of the courts, he said at a symposium on "First thoughts at law reform" organised by the Karnataka Institute for Law and Parliamentary Reforms (KILPAR) here on Saturday. There were instances where some judgments had not been implemented because they would affect some influential persons, he said. Even those judgments that would have benefited the Government had not been implemented, he said.

He warned that Karnataka, which is one of the well-governed States, would soon turn out to be another Bihar if it continued to ignore court judgments.

Illegal methods

The non-implementation of judgements was forcing people to look at alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. They were approaching goondas and the underworld to resolve their disputes. Despite being costly and risky, such illegal methods of dispute resolution appeared to be "working effectively," he said.

He urged the courts, the media and the public to take serious note of this trend. A high-level committee, which was constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary a couple of years ago to look into the delay in implementation of court orders, was yet to meet, Mr. Patil said.

He also expressed concern that academics and research institutes were not trying to analyse or discuss court verdicts. Even legislators were adopting important Bills without a detailed debate, he said and urged institutes like KILPAR to help legislators understand the legal implications of Bills.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.P. Prakash stressed the need for reducing the number of laws and also simplifying them. A plethora of laws would not make people abide by the law. In fact, the present-day trend of passing too many laws would only create confusion, he said.

Legal reforms

Legislative Assembly Speaker Krishna stressed the need for reforming the legal system to suit the changing requirements of present-day society.

The former Lokayukta N. Venkatachala, KILPAR director G. Dakshinamurthy, Chief Secretary P.B. Mahishi and legislators Jayaprakash Hegde and V.R. Sudarshan participated in the symposium.