Anantnag: Despite the deluge brought about by incessant heavy rain, the district court complex in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag was witness to a heartwarming sight on Wednesday.
Principal District Judge Tahir Khursheed Raina reached the court premises by boat to assess the situation and ensure that judicial work, particularly urgent matters, did not come to a standstill.
Routine judicial functioning has come to a standstill due to the flood situation. Courtrooms, offices and record rooms are inundated. Judge Raina, however, chose to take a ride in a rubber rescue boat to take stock of the safety of judicial records.
He also passed crucial directions to the police authorities regarding remand cases and bail applications. Judge Raina told Bar and Bench later that that access to justice could not be denied even during a natural disaster.
“The judiciary has to rise to the occasion. Floods may have submerged the court, but justice must not sink.”
Judge Raina was accompanied by chief judicial magistrate Feroz Ahmed Khan. Officials said that normal functioning of the court may have been suspended, but exceptional efforts are being made to safeguard records and address urgent matters.
“The sight of the Principal District Judge moving in the court complex in a boat will set an example for everybody. It will remain a symbol of the judiciary’s resolve to uphold justice amidst adversity,” a court officer said.