Punjab to take steps for speedy trials, says AG Nanda
Punjab advocate general Atul Nanda on Monday said the state prosecution wing in consultation with the police would take steps for speedy trials.
Punjab advocate general Atul Nanda on Monday said the state prosecution wing in consultation with the police would take steps for speedy trials.
In his first interaction with the media after taking over as state’s advocate general, Nanda said his priority at the high court would be to work for early disposal of service and pension-related disputes.
Nanda said after a stock-taking exercise, recommendations of requisite infrastructure for forensic labs would be made to the government so the justice delivery system can be improved. “Why challan is filed on the 89th day. Why not within 10 days. Our priority would be to speed up investigation and create necessary infrastructure so that trials conclude at the earliest,” he said.
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Nanda said service matter litigation would be brought down. “Service-related cases will be segregated in batches. We will request the high court administration also to take steps for quick disposal,” he said.
The advocate general said the state was contemplating legislation on appointment of law officers and requisite exercise by the advocate general office had been completed. “It now awaits the state cabinet nod,” he said. A March 2016 judgment of the Supreme Court makes it mandatory to fix criterion, constitute a search committee and put up list of proposed law officers before high court chief justice for consideration. But the AG is of the view that those being appointed should be persons who enjoy “confidence” of the government.
Nanda said he had reviewed the AG office budget of past five years and discussed the workload with judges and law officers appointed during the previous government. “The idea is to cut expenses and have all performing assets,” he said, adding that the number of designated law officers would be less but other associates would be roped for better results.