High Tech Courts Of Social Justice

These can provide speedy justice to the needy sections in an inexpensive way. 

- Ashutosh Kumar Agarwal

The system of social justice comes down heavily wherever there is unreasonable discrimination on the grounds of sex, caste, religion etc under the scheme of the Indian Constitution. It is a step towards creating equality in all walks of life.

But the Constitution of India also aims at protecting the vulnerable class of people, both in terms of legislation and the administration of justice within the four corners of such polices (Articles 14 and 39-A).

Taking cue from these articles, Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, propounded the concept of social justice which went ahead of the merely providing free legal aid to the poor in securing their rights but advocated that on the basis of financial soundness and the liabilities, the affluent be charged more whereas the poor and the weak be penalised lightly for the same kind of wrong/crime or delinquency.

Since the concept of social justice requires details of assets, size of family and if he is a business entrepreneur, the financial liabilities, profits, number of people he employs are to be made available for dispensing the flawless social justice. But since in those days, there was huge arrear of cases in the courts, it was thought that such system won’t work because of its slowness.

Today, however, means have been provided by the I-T gadget. Just by clicking a button the plethora of classified information may be available over mobile phones and laptops.

Mobile phones in future may do away with the need of currency notes, substituting electronic money instead which is very reliable, not amenable to theft and may take care of every transaction ranging from purchase of a glass of water to a bangalow. It tells the financial soundness of a person or a business house on the dot.