“The recent clamour for an alternative dispute resolution system is a sad reflection on the efficiency of our judicial system,” said Justice M Sasidharan Nambiar, who retired from service on Wednesday.
Stating that the judiciary in India is going through a difficult stage, Nambiar said that judges and advocates have to share the responsibility. “The systems for alternative dispute resolution, have their own advantages and merits. But when it is projected as an alternative, owing to the failure of the court to dispense speedy justice, it is a sad reflection on the judicial system,” he said.
Nambiar was speaking at the full court reference given to him by the Kerala High Court. He urged the Chief Justice and judges of the Kerala High Court not to take lightly the corruption allegations in the judiciary. He appealed to the judges to act with determination regarding such matters. “Leniency on such matters will not only be counterproductive, but it will also send wrong signals to the subordinate judiciary,” he said, adding that over the years, the standard of the Bar is decreasing, partly because of the unwillingness to work hard.
Chief justice Manjula Chellur, other judges, Advocate-General K P Dandapani, Director-General of Persecutions T Asaf Ali, Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association president Babu Paul and secretary Unnikrishnan V Alappatt were present.