Protecting fundamental rights of citizens is the cornerstone of the justice system: Chief Justice Singh – The Hindu

Report on the Establishment of New Judicial Infrastructure in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District

Introduction: Advancing SDG 16 through Enhanced Access to Justice

A foundation stone was laid for a new court building complex in the Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, marking a significant step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The initiative, inaugurated virtually by Telangana High Court Chief Justice Aparajesh Kumar Singh, underscores a commitment to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all citizens, a core target of SDG 16.3.

Keynote Address: Upholding Fundamental Rights and Building Strong Institutions

In his address, Chief Justice Singh reaffirmed the judiciary’s role in protecting the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. He framed this duty as the cornerstone of the justice system, directly aligning with the principles of SDG 16. The Chief Justice highlighted that the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions depends on critical factors, including:

• The availability of adequate resources and infrastructure.
• The active cooperation of all stakeholders in the judicial process.

Project Inauguration and Anticipated Outcomes for Sustainable Development

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Telangana High Court judges Justice E.V. Venugopal and Justice N. Rajeshwar Rao, along with district officials. Speakers emphasized the project’s potential to foster a peaceful and inclusive society. Justice Rajeshwar Rao described court buildings as ‘temples of justice’, reinforcing the institutional integrity vital for SDG 16. The establishment of the dedicated court complex is expected to yield several outcomes that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Strengthening the Rule of Law (SDG 16.3): The new facility is anticipated to help curb crime and bolster the local justice system, ensuring that legal recourse is accessible to the community.
2. Building Effective Institutions (SDG 16.6): The project represents a tangible investment in creating effective and accountable judicial institutions at the local level, promoting fairness and equity in all legal proceedings.
3. Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Communities (SDG 11): By providing essential public infrastructure, the court complex contributes to the development of a safe, resilient, and sustainable community in a district with a rich historical background.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal is central to the article’s theme. The entire event revolves around strengthening the judicial system to provide justice for all. The article explicitly mentions the judiciary’s commitment to “ensuring justice for every citizen,” “protecting the fundamental rights of citizens,” and strengthening the “justice system.” These concepts are the core mission of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the focus of the article, the following specific targets under SDG 16 can be identified:

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The article directly supports this target. The Chief Justice’s statement about “ensuring justice for every citizen as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution” and Justice Rajeshwar Rao’s description of court buildings as “‘temples of justice’ … striving to ensure fairness to all parties” highlight the commitment to equal access to justice. The construction of a new court complex in a district is a tangible step to make justice more accessible to the local population.

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

     The article touches upon institutional effectiveness. The Chief Justice notes that “the judiciary’s efficiency depended on the cooperation of all stakeholders and the availability of adequate resources.” The sanctioning and construction of a “dedicated court complex” is a direct investment of resources to build a more effective and capable judicial institution at the district level.

   • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

     This target is referenced when Justice Venugopal expresses hope that the establishment of the court “would help curb crime and strengthen the justice system.” This shows that the new infrastructure is not just for adjudicating disputes but is also seen as a crucial element in strengthening the state’s capacity to maintain law and order and combat crime.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not provide quantitative data, but it implies several qualitative and process-based indicators that can measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 16.3: Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles.

     While not a direct measure, the article’s emphasis on the judiciary’s role in “protecting the fundamental rights of citizens” and the creation of physical infrastructure (the court complex) to support this role can be seen as an indicator of strengthening institutions responsible for upholding human rights and providing legal recourse. The construction of the court itself is a tangible indicator of the government’s commitment to providing access to justice.

   • Indicator for Target 16.6: Proportion of total government budget devoted to basic services (including the justice system).

     The article implies this indicator through the “sanctioning of a dedicated court complex.” This action represents a significant financial investment and allocation of public funds towards the judicial system, which is a direct measure of government expenditure on strengthening this institution.

   • Indicator for Target 16.a: Development of institutional capacity.

     The establishment of a new court building is a direct indicator of an increase in the institutional capacity of the justice system. The hope that it will “help curb crime” suggests that a future measure of success for this institution would be a reduction in local crime rates, which could serve as a long-term performance indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.3: Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.	The physical establishment of a new, dedicated court complex to provide citizens with access to the justice system and ensure fairness.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.	The allocation of “adequate resources” through the sanctioning and construction of the court building to improve the “judiciary’s efficiency.”
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to… combat… crime.	The stated goal that the new court will “help curb crime,” implying that a reduction in crime rates would be a measure of the institution’s strengthened capacity.

Source: thehindu.com