Constitutional rights define life of citizens, societies: CJI
New Delhi, July 26 : Constitutional rights define and shape the life of citizens and societies and have to be construed and developed in such a manner that their real intent and existence percolates to the lowest rungs in the society, said Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.
Delivering the M.C. Setalvad Memorial Lecture, for the first and longest serving Attorney General of India, he said Constitutional rights' positive exposition and assertive and energetic appreciation constitute the "lifeblood of progressive societies".
"These rights would become a dead letter without their dynamic, vibrant and pragmatic interpretation. That is the raison d'etre for the Constitution and the constitutional rights. This also gives birth to an equally important role of the state to implement the constitutional rights effectively.
"The state action has to be concrete and not such that its effects leak into so many rivulets that they dissipate. Mere rhetoric and passivity by the state without reflection of serious commitment will only result in reducing the solemn duty of the state to that of a feigned act of affectation," Justice Misra said.
He said the judiciary has always remained alive to its solemn duty placed upon its shoulders by the Constitution, that is, to protect the constitutional rights of the citizens of the country.
Seaking on "Dynamic Ascendance of Constitutional Rights: A Progressive Approach", Misra stressed that it is a Constitution made for a progressive society and its working depends upon prevalent atmosphere and conditions.
Since the Constitution is itself a "dynamic and forward spirited document", then it would be fallacy to think that the constitutional rights guaranteed therein will remain static, he said.
"The constitutional rights also being dynamic, were on the ascendance in the past, are on the ascendance in the present and will always remain in the ascendance in the future, as well.
"Constitutional rights cannot and should not, for the sake of democracy, stop growing and this I say with a certain degree of confidence as perpetually expanding constitutional rights will only contribute towards strengthening of a constitutional democratic set up like ours," Justice Misra said.
He also said that gender equality has been an important issue before courts.
Justice Misra said in Madhya Pradesh women reservation for panchayat case, "argument is that women cannot administer and will depend on their husbands. This is preposterous. The case is before Supreme Court but I will not hear the matter".
"It's a judge's duty to see that the right you have created and recognised is also implemented," he said.
Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Gita Mittal, who was also present at the gathering, said that public faith in judiciary should never be compromised.
"Strength and resilience of the judiciary lies in the confidence and faith of the people in it," she said at the memorial lecture organised by the Bar Association of India.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
