Khurshid takes a dig at Hazare: ‘Prepared to learn law from him’

Hazare had said on Friday that Singhvi should be hanged,if found “guilty” in connection with the controversial CD purportedly showing him in a compromising position with a woman.

In city to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana,the Khurshid said that putting up the contents of the CD for display on social media websites was affecting the general public. He said it needs to be seen whether such ‘social media activities” should be curbed.

“The need of the hour is to look at the system prevailing in other countries and come out with some worldwide protocol on social media sites. The media and the social media too must be more considerate,” Khurshid said,adding that the problem goes beyond CDs and social websites

“The issue involves the freedom of the media,” he said,adding that the Supreme Court was looking into the issue of freedom of media and guidelines on legal reporting could very well be expected. “We hope to find a solution to the issue once the Supreme Court comes out with its judgment,” Khurshid said.

On the issue of filing up the vacancies of High Court judges,Khurshid said it was directly linked to the availability of infrastructure. “You cannot have judges without courts,” he said.

He also said that for the betterment of young lawyers a pilot project to train them as legal retainers is underway. Under this project,a young lawyer can quit after three years and join private practice if he intends to.

On the Presidential election,Khurshid said the country would get a “good President”.

On Congress’s dismal performance in the Uttar Pradesh,the Law Minister said the party has found out the reasons. Stating that lot more introspection needs to be done,Khurshid said that Rahul Gandhi will act as the “guiding light” in this exercise.

Cameras in court can help in better justice delivery: Patil

Asserting that the installation of video cameras inside court rooms would result in better and effective administering of justice,Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil on Saturday added that to further improve the judicial system,legal education of the people was required.

Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana here,Patil said new methods of investigation,including scientific investigation,needed to be adopted instead of solely relying on witness statements. He also emphasised that written arguments could save time and can be furnished for easy reference. He added that on certain accounts there was a lot of scope for improvement in the courts including the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Earlier,Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari said the legal profession must reclaim “the hallowed ground” that it occupied during the freedom struggle and in the early years of the republic. “The role of lawyers in the initial years of our independence was critical in emphasising the rule of law in the governance of the country. As intellectuals and civil society activists,advocates were role models helping the marginalised and the downtrodden,” he said.

Observing that advocates played a vital part in the administration of justice,he said: “The need for introspection is imperative and it should lead to an ethical renewal in actual practice”.

Speaking on the occasion,Law Minister Salman Khursheed promised the gathering that he would try to ensure that pride of the (law) profession is reflected in the work done by him during his tenure. Chairman Bar Council,Lekh Raj Sharma welcomed the guests and requested the Law Minister to introduce schemes,stipend and insurance cover,for young lawyers.

Also present were Justice Swatanter Kumar,Supreme Court Judge; Justice M M Kumar acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court,Advocate General of Punjab,Ashok Aggarwal and Hawa Singh Hooda,Advocate General Haryana.

The celebrations were,however,marred by the paucity of seats leading to a protest by those left outside the auditorium in PGI.

Delhi Bar ready
to probe Singhvi if asked by BCI

Dr Adish C Aggarwala,Chairman,Bar Council of Delhi,said they would look into the complaint against Abhishek Manu Singhvi,if the Bar Council of India forwarded the same to it. Aggarwala said the Supreme Court Advocates on record Association has sent their complaint to the Bar Council of India. “If the BCI wants,it can forward it; or can keep and bury it. But,if it is sent to us,we are duty bound to look into it as per law,” he said.