President Droupadi Murmu has voiced serious concerns over the high number of pending rape cases in Indian courts, particularly at the district level. Speaking at the National Conference on the District Judiciary, President Murmu emphasized the urgent need for a more efficient judicial process to ensure timely justice for victims of sexual violence. Her remarks reflect the growing frustration with the slow pace of legal proceedings in such critical cases.

The President highlighted that delayed justice not only fails the victims but also undermines public confidence in the legal system. She urged the judiciary to adopt measures that would expedite the resolution of rape cases, stressing that justice delayed is justice denied. President Murmu’s call for action has brought renewed attention to the long-standing issue of case backlogs in India’s judicial system.

Rape cases, which are particularly sensitive and impactful, often take years to be resolved, leaving victims and their families in prolonged states of uncertainty and trauma. The President noted that the district judiciary plays a crucial role in addressing this issue, as it is the first point of contact for many victims seeking justice. She called for increased efforts at the district level to reduce the pendency of such cases.

In response to the President’s remarks, legal experts and activists have pointed out the need for structural reforms within the judiciary. They argue that while the judiciary has made efforts to address case backlogs, more needs to be done, particularly in terms of increasing the number of judges, improving court infrastructure, and adopting technology to streamline case management.

The President’s focus on the district judiciary also highlights the disparities in access to justice across different regions of the country. In many rural and semi-urban areas, the judiciary is overburdened, and the lack of resources further exacerbates the problem of delayed justice. President Murmu’s speech is seen as a call to address these inequalities and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their location, have access to timely justice.

The National Conference on the District Judiciary provided a platform for discussing these challenges, with participants including judges, legal scholars, and government officials. The conference emphasized the importance of collaboration between the judiciary and the executive to implement effective solutions for reducing case pendency, especially in cases involving sexual violence.

President Murmu’s remarks have also sparked a broader conversation about the need for a more victim-centric approach in handling rape cases. Legal experts suggest that beyond speeding up trials, there should be a focus on ensuring that victims receive adequate support throughout the legal process. This includes providing psychological counseling, legal assistance, and protection from retaliation.

In conclusion, President Droupadi Murmu’s address at the National Conference on the District Judiciary underscores the critical need to reduce the pendency of rape cases in Indian courts. Her call for timely justice resonates with the growing demand for a more responsive and efficient judicial system. The challenge now lies in translating this call into actionable reforms that can deliver justice to victims without unnecessary delays.