The Supreme Court underscored the importance of establishing Gram Nyayalayas across India as a crucial step towards improving access to justice, particularly at the grassroots level. This statement was made during a hearing on Wednesday, addressing a plea that seeks directives for the Centre and all states to expedite the setting up of these local courts.
Enacted by Parliament in 2008, the Gram Nyayalayas Act was designed to provide justice at the doorstep of rural citizens, ensuring that no one is denied justice due to social, economic, or other disabilities. Despite this, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner NGO National Federation of Societies for Fast Justice and others, highlighted that only about five to six percent of the envisioned Gram Nyayalayas have been established to date.
Bhushan pointed out the reluctance of some states to set up these courts, noting that they prefer Nyaya Panchayats, which, unlike Gram Nyayalayas, do not have judicial officers. This distinction, he argued, affects the quality and scope of justice delivered.
The bench, led by Justice B R Gavai and including Justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan, responded by appointing a senior advocate as amicus curiae to assist in this matter. Justice Gavai emphasized, “Sooner these Nyayalayas are established… it’s better for access to justice.”
During the proceedings, an advocate representing the Himachal Pradesh High Court mentioned that despite continuous requests to the state government since 2009, no Gram Nyayalayas have been set up in the state. The Supreme Court has subsequently ordered the Himachal Pradesh government to respond before the next hearing, scheduled four weeks from now.
Additionally, the bench has directed states or high courts that have not yet submitted their affidavits regarding the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas to do so within three weeks. These affidavits should detail the current status and infrastructure of these courts, as initially required by the Supreme Court’s July 12 session.
