GUWAHATI, March 4 - Stating that the State Government and the Gauhati High Court Bar Association must join hands to spread awareness about law and judiciary, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that people must be educated about law to enable them to enjoy their democratic rights with dignity.
Participating as the chief guest at a workshop on �Criminal trial and bail� organised by the Gauhati High Court Bar Association today, Sonowal said that a strong and a robust judicial system is of paramount importance to society and advocates have to play a significant role in this regard.
Reiterating that all four pillars of the democratic society must be equally active in performing their duties, Sonowal said that the society must a keep a strict watch over the government's functioning to ensure good governance at every level.
Sonowal also opined that the lawyers need to change their image from mere law practitioners to public servants to come out through the maze of judiciary with a friendly approach.
Later, speaking on the topic of �Bail�, advocate Bijon Mahajan opined that Bail is a vast concept and is primarily drawn from the Article 21 of the Constitution of India which says that 'no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law'.
While referring to several authorities of the High Courts and the Supreme Court, Mahajan said that the procedural law which is the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is the Gita, Bible and Quran for the Judges, lawyers, litigants and public in general.
He also spoke at length on the relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the NDPS Act and the provisions for bail enshrined therein.
�It is the safety of litigants which is of paramount importance,� he added.
Advocate AM Bora who spoke on �Criminal Trial� threw light on what needs to be kept in mind as a lawyer before the trial process begins.
�As Article 21 ensures that nobody should be deprive of his personal liberty... there is also a need to ensure that the rights of the accused is also not compromised with,� Bora said.
He also spoke on various other aspects of the trial process including cross examination of witnesses and proper documentation.
Media advisor to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, president of Gauhati High Court Bar Association Ram Chandra Saikia were also present on the occasion.
