SHILLONG, March 25 � Meghalaya has become the 22nd State in India to have a separate High Court after the Chief Justice of India, Altamas Kabir today formally inaugurated the Meghalaya High Court here.
In his inaugural speech, Kabir said, �With the functioning of the new High Court the people of Meghalaya would have better access to seek justice and the traditional laws and customs would be integrated...,� .
Union Law Minister Ashwini Kumar, who was present on the occasion, said that the new High Court would improve the quality of justice and advocacy. �People�s faith is anchored upon swift administration of justice and the new High Court would help in this direction,� Kumar stated.
Meghalaya had only a bench of the Gauhati High Court earlier. There has been a persistent demand for a separate High Court considering the large number of pending cases in the State.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said swift administration of justice is �crucial for democracy.� He said that with the functioning of the High Court trials would be disposed off expeditiously.
He assured that the Government would try to strengthen the investigation wing of the Home department so that cases can be built more efficiently against law-breakers.
In her address, the first Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Toom Meena Kumari said, it is a �golden moment� for the people of the State and added that she was confident that justice would now reach the doorsteps of the people. Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, AK Goel said that it was a �historic� occasion for the State.
Our Imphal Correspondent reports: Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir accompanied by Union Law Minister Dr Ashwini Kumar formally inaugurated the Manipur High Court at Chingmeirong here this evening.
Justice Kabir appealed the legal fraternity to take legal remedy to the doorsteps of the general public.
Union Law Minister Dr Ashwani Kumar, who was on a maiden visit to the State, hoped that justice will be delivered to the people.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that the judiciary in Manipur is expected to be seen in new attire as the State has its own high court now. Ibobi also informed that posts of two vacant judges will be filled up soon.
On March 23, Chhatisgarh High Court judge Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre was sworn in as first Chief Justice of Manipur High Court.
Currently, there are 4,400 pending cases in the Imphal Bench of the high court while another 14,187 cases are pending in other courts of Manipur.
