New Delhi: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, unveiled three significant publications of the Supreme Court of India during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The released publications include: (i) Justice for Nation: Reflections on 75 Years of the Supreme Court of India; (ii) Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion; and (iii) Legal Aid Through Law Schools: A Report on Working of Legal Aid Cells in India.
In her address at the event, President Murmu emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court’s role in shaping jurisprudence that is deeply rooted in Indian values and societal realities. She expressed her satisfaction with Justice for the Nation, which captures the milestones of the Supreme Court over its 75-year journey and illustrates its impact on the lives of citizens.
“The justice delivery system must strengthen our onward march as a just and fair society,” the President stated, underscoring the necessity of effective legal frameworks in ensuring social equity. She highlighted the significance of the report on legal aid cells, which details the operations of legal aid clinics in law schools across the country. “Such clinics not only provide holistic legal education to our youth but also sensitize them to the needs of vulnerable segments of society,” she added.
Addressing the issue of under-trial prisoners, which has been a longstanding concern for her, President Murmu expressed her appreciation for the report focused on the prison system. This report aims to assess the judiciary’s role in mitigating the number of under-trial prisoners, a critical issue in India’s legal landscape.
The President conveyed her confidence that the publications released today would contribute significantly to achieving the objectives of free legal aid and prison reforms while educating the public about the Supreme Court’s exceptional role in India’s journey as a Republic. She also commended the members of the Bench and Bar, both past and present, for their contributions in establishing the Supreme Court as a revered institution in the country.
