This is in reference to Brig. Ian Da Costa’s opinion “Functioning of the Judiciary Unsatisfactory?” (Herald, 9 August). I completely endorse with the Brigadier’s views. 40% of High Court vacancies are not filled up in our country. Indians are star prosecutors, Judges and work in the highest offices in foreign countries; but in our own country we cannot find candidates to fill up vacancies!
Let me give the example of our Civil & Criminal Court in Margao (South Goa). There is no Judge presiding in the “F” Court for more than 6 months. Presently a most efficient, conscientious and hardworking Judge Bosco Rodrigues from the same court in Margao was transferred. The whole of Goa and its neighbours know the reason for this transfer. What will happen to the litigants of this courts? The dialogue made famous by one classic Hindi film of the 90’s comes to mind when the protagonist tells the court “Tarikh pe Tarikh, Tarikh pe Tarikh, Tarikh pe Tarikh,” (dates after dates after dates).
I can give another example of the working of the office of the Land Revenue. A mutation was done where notices were sent to three different person’s at one identical non- existent address. When questioned about this, the officer turned around and said these are some of the loopholes in our system. I replied saying that such glaring loopholes should most definitely be plugged; should not the person indulging in a fraudulent act be hauled up, made to explain and punished? The official looked completely lost, apparently he had come across a nutcase who is challenging the systems loopholes!
In a TV debate the Congress spokesperson Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi was asked why don’t they file a case in the court of law against the Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj for breaking the law, instead of asking her to resign. He bluntly said that the case won’t be resolved in our life time. In coming years if there is anarchy and lawlessness the politicians and Judiciary will be solely responsible.
