The golden jubilee celebrations of the Delhi High Court began here on Saturday with its theme being devoted to the concept of ‘justice for all’.
Inaugurating the celebrations, President Pranab Mukherjee said this phrase implies empowerment of the weak and equal treatment of law irrespective of one’s individual identity.
The inaugural function at Vigyan Bhawan witnessed participation of a galaxy of the Supreme Court and High Court judges, lawyers, jurists, presiding officers of lower courts, and the court staff. High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini said the quality of litigation in Delhi was of a high standard in view of the Capital being the seat of power.
The High Court of Delhi had its origin in the Lahore High Court, which was established on March 21, 1919.
After independence, the Punjab High Courts Order led to the establishment of a new High Court for East Punjab. The Delhi High Court was established on October 31, 1966.
Justice Rohini said the High Court’s original civil jurisdiction had helped it develop a significant jurisprudence, which had immensely helped litigants. “The Delhi High Court is the first in the country to adopt information technology in judicial system,” she said, adding that new initiatives for arbitration and conciliation had been taken.
Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung said the Delhi High Court had established impeccable standards of integrity and upheld the highest principles of independence of judiciary and separation of powers.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Delhi government would provide resources, includingFUNDS and buildings, for expansion of infrastructure of courts in the Capital. He said the government would respect the independence of judiciary.