SC Forms Panel to Guide Judges on Sensitivity, Compassion

Supreme Court forms panel to guide judges on sensitivity in vulnerable cases.

The Supreme Court has assigned Justice Aniruddha Bose (retd), Director of the National Judicial Academy, to form a committee to draw guidelines to infuse sensitivity and compassion in judges, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals. The committee will include legal practitioners, academics, and social workers.

The report should be comprehensive, written in simple language, and translated into regional languages. The court highlighted the need to spread awareness about offensive words and expressions that constitute offenses under penal laws.

Key Facts

The Supreme Court has assigned Justice Aniruddha Bose (retd) to form a committee.

The committee will draw guidelines to infuse sensitivity and compassion in judges.

The committee will include legal practitioners, academics, and social workers.

The report should be comprehensive, written in simple language, and translated into regional languages.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Role of Judiciary

Ethical considerations for civil servants and judges

Potential for questions on judicial reforms and access to justice

In Simple Words

The Supreme Court wants judges to be more understanding and kind, especially when dealing with sensitive cases. They're creating a guide to help judges be more aware of people's feelings and backgrounds. This is to make sure everyone gets a fair chance in court.

India Angle

In India, where there are many different cultures and communities, it's important for judges to understand everyone's perspective. This helps ensure that justice is fair, no matter where someone comes from or what their background is.

For Instance

Imagine a judge hearing a case about a land dispute between two families. Being sensitive to their history and emotional connection to the land can help the judge make a more just decision.

If judges are more sensitive and compassionate, the legal system becomes fairer for everyone. It helps build trust in the courts and ensures that justice is served with understanding.

Compassionate justice: where understanding meets the law.

Visual Insights

Key Action: SC Forms Panel on Judicial Sensitivity

The Supreme Court has formed a committee to guide judges on sensitivity and compassion, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals. Justice Aniruddha Bose (retd) will lead the committee.

Committee Head: Justice Aniruddha Bose (retd)

More Information

Background

The judiciary's role extends beyond merely interpreting laws; it also encompasses ensuring justice is dispensed with sensitivity and compassion, especially towards vulnerable populations. The need for judicial sensitivity arises from the understanding that legal frameworks, while objective, can have disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups. This initiative by the Supreme Court acknowledges the importance of addressing biases and promoting empathy within the judicial system. Historically, judicial training in India has focused primarily on legal principles and procedural aspects. However, there's a growing recognition of the need to incorporate behavioral and social sciences into judicial education. This includes training on gender sensitivity, understanding the socio-economic contexts of litigants, and recognizing the potential for unconscious biases to influence decision-making. The formation of this committee is a step towards institutionalizing such training. The Constitution of India guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws under Article 14. Furthermore, Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to include the right to a dignified life. Ensuring sensitivity and compassion in judicial proceedings is crucial for upholding these constitutional guarantees, particularly for vulnerable individuals who may face systemic disadvantages.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increasing focus on judicial reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and accessibility of the justice system. The e-Courts project, for instance, seeks to digitize court records and processes, making them more accessible to litigants and lawyers. However, concerns remain about the digital divide and its potential impact on access to justice for marginalized communities. Several High Courts have also initiated programs to promote gender sensitization and awareness among judicial officers. These programs often involve workshops and training sessions conducted by experts in gender studies and social work. The Supreme Court's initiative to form a committee to guide judges on sensitivity and compassion aligns with these efforts to promote a more inclusive and equitable justice system. Looking ahead, the report of the committee formed by Justice Aniruddha Bose (retd) is expected to provide concrete recommendations for integrating sensitivity and compassion into judicial training and practice. The implementation of these recommendations will be crucial for ensuring that the judiciary effectively addresses the needs of vulnerable individuals and upholds the principles of justice and equality.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the recent Supreme Court initiative: 1. The committee formed will be headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. 2. The committee's report will be translated into all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 3. The initiative aims to spread awareness about offensive words and expressions that constitute offenses under penal laws. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The committee will be headed by Justice Aniruddha Bose (retd), not a sitting judge. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The report will be translated into regional languages, implying those listed in the Eighth Schedule. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The court highlighted the need to spread awareness about offensive words and expressions that constitute offenses under penal laws. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

2. In the context of judicial sensitivity and compassion, which of the following best reflects the objective of the Supreme Court's recent initiative?

A.To expedite the disposal of cases involving vulnerable individuals.
B.To provide financial assistance to litigants from marginalized communities.
C.To infuse sensitivity and compassion in judges, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals.
D.To increase the number of judges trained in social work and psychology.

Show Answer

Answer: C

The Supreme Court's initiative aims to infuse sensitivity and compassion in judges, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals. This is explicitly stated in the summary. The other options, while potentially related to access to justice, are not the primary objective of this specific initiative.

3. Which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India is most directly related to the need for judicial sensitivity and compassion, particularly towards vulnerable individuals?

A.Article 14
B.Article 19
C.Article 21
D.Article 32

Show Answer

Answer: C

Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Supreme Court has interpreted this to include the right to a dignified life. Judicial sensitivity and compassion are crucial for ensuring this right, particularly for vulnerable individuals. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, Article 19 deals with freedom of speech, and Article 32 provides for constitutional remedies.