Government as the ‘biggest litigant’: Modi

Calling government as the “biggest litigant,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized the need to reduce the burden on the judiciary. He also made a case for an All India Judicial Service on the lines of Indian Administrative Service.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Delhi High Court, Modi said, “The judiciary spends its maximum time on us. Us does not mean Modi, but the government.”

On every issue, government contests cases in courts, he said. “I sometimes tell our people… why are you increasing the burden on the judiciary? But somehow they remain unconvinced.”

The Prime Minister tried to make the atmosphere less serious, saying, “I can understand the seriousness on the dais, but others can smile.” His remark came minutes after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed of a fear that judges’ phones were being tapped by the government.

While did not to react to Kejriwal’s allegation, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad promptly denied the charge.

Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur, Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini, Delhi Lt. Governor Najib Jung, and Kejriwal were also present at the programme.