CJI Chandrachud Emphasizes Need for Changes in Courts for Women's Safety

By: WE Staff | Monday, 2 September 2024

India's Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud emphasized the need for changes in district court infrastructure during the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary' to ensure a safe and accommodating environment specifically for the female members of society. The CJI highlights that a mere 6.7 per cent of district-level court infrastructures are designed to be accommodating and supportive of female litigants and visitors.

The Chief Justice of India emphasized the urgent need to enhance facilities for women and vulnerable groups, including infrastructural audits, medical facilities, creches, and technological projects like e-seva Kendras and video conferencing devices. The CJI mentioned, "We must without any question, change the fact that only 6.7 per cent of our court infrastructure at the district level is female-friendly. Is this acceptable today in a nation where at the basic level of recruitment in some states over 60 or 70 per cent of the recruits are women? Our focus areas are on increasing accessibility measures which can be understood by carrying out infrastructural audits."

CJI Chandrachud further emphasized the need for courts to provide a safe and accommodating environment for all society members, including women, vulnerable groups, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals. He urged the need to address biases in the judiciary, stating that nearly 1,000 cases were resolved amicably at the first-ever National Lok Adalat within five working days.