Not just military, 'civilian army' of experts also needed to protect nation's interests: SC judge
Gandhinagar (PTI): A nation growing "economically, politically, in the rule of law and in good governance" requires not only the "military in dress" but also a "civilian army" of experts to diligently and intelligently look after its interests both within and outside, Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant said here on Sunday.
The field of law does not demand perfection but perseverance, curiosity and a commitment to the ideals of fairness and equity, he said while addressing the valedictory session of the international moot court competition at Rashtriya Raksha University.
"A nation growing economically, politically, democratically, in rule of law, in good governance, requires not only the military in dress but a lot of military elements in civilian dress also," Justice Surya Kant said.
"Whether you are a law graduate, an expert in criminal law or international law, whether you are a professor or a scientist or an engineer, or holding any other responsible position, you become part of that civilian army which very carefully, intelligently, very diligently looks after the interests of the nation both within and outside," he said.
He said the issues raised in the moot court such as the hypothetical case touching upon matters relating to international law, global security, cyber terrorism and national security, provide students a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of complex areas of law in a competitive setting.
"The element of confidence in speaking, the oration, the expression is extremely important when you go for civil services or any other public assignment. These are the platforms where you gain this confidence and learn. As an activity, mooting instils a sense of competition and facilitates holistic development, intellectual engagement and the exercise of ideas among peers," the SC judge asserted.
With rise in economic and financial crimes in countries such as India, it is important that young students are trained to research in these fields of law through such competitions, he added.
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Bengaluru jail introduces biometric tracking system for prisoners
Bengaluru: In a bid to curb misconduct and illegal activities inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, prison authorities have introduced a new ‘Prisoners Tracking Movement System’ under which inmates will have to undergo biometric verification while entering every barrack.
According to jail officials, biometric systems have been installed across all major sections of the prison, including barracks, visitor rooms, hospital, canteen, kitchen, library, playground, handicraft units and bakery sections. Staff members have also been deployed at these locations.
Officials said inmates visiting the visitors’ room must now obtain a digital token after biometric verification. Details such as the prisoner’s name, identification number and entry time will be updated in the prison software system. This will help authorities maintain a complete digital record of inmates visiting and returning from meeting rooms.
Similar systems have also been introduced at entry points of the hospital, library and other barracks accessed for work-related purposes. Officials said the system will help identify prisoners involved in suspicious or illegal activities with other inmates and enable authorities to track how much time a prisoner spends at different locations inside the prison.
Authorities stated that AI-powered cameras were already being used inside the prison to monitor inmates as well as prison staff. Along with this, digital tracking of prisoner phone calls and a digital token system for visitor meetings have now been added to strengthen surveillance over inmate movement. Officials said the project has been implemented at a cost of around Rs 2.25 crore.
The prison department has also introduced a canteen usage tracking system to monitor prisoners’ spending patterns. Instead of direct cash payments, inmates can purchase bakery items and snacks using wallets or coupons issued within the prison system.
Officials said the digital system will record details including the buyer’s name, items purchased, quantity, date, time and remaining wallet balance. This will allow prison authorities to maintain complete expenditure records of inmates.
