Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Allahabad to attend the state high court’s 150th year celebrations, ahead of his trip to Jammu where he will inaugurate India’s longest road tunnel.
The Prime Minister arrived at Bamrauli airport at 10:20am and proceeded to the Allahabad high court grounds. After attending the function, Modi will fly to Jammu and Kashmir in a special aircraft from Bamrauli airport at 12:25pm.
The history of the Allahabad high court, the country’s biggest court in terms of judicial strength, is marked by distinction – it was the first high court to enrol women lawyers while other high courts rejected their applications. It has also given the Indian judicial system five chief justices of India, namely KN Wanchoo, Mirza Hameedullah Beg, Raghunandan Sarin Pathak, Kamal Narain Singh and VN Khare.
The city’s security has been stepped up for the event, which also has chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik, and deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya in attendance.
Modi will later address a public rally at Battal Ballian in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district after inaugurating the Chenani-Nashri tunnel.
Watch this space for Live updates:
12:50pm: “I hope the dream of new India and the new generation can be successful”: Modi ends speech
12:45pm: I’m happy to say our govt has simplified laws, abolished 1200, in less than five years: PM Modi says, speaking about the benefits of digitisation.
With the aide of technology, even the judiciary’s work can be made easier. “Why shouldn’t we use video-conferencing to communicate instead of transporting prisoners to court… Even start ups can help the judiciary by creating innovative services and apps for them.”
Technology will empower the judiciary, and save money and time: Modi
12:40pm: PM praises the contribution of lawyers in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.
Watch | PM Modi speaks at Allahabad HC
12:35pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his address, says law has to be fair for all. Quoting Dr Radhakrishnan, Modi says law strives to ensures justice for all, not just the rich.
PM recalls Mahatma Gandhi ‘s philosophy that every decision must benefit the weakest section of the society. Modi says Gandhi took the freedom struggle to the common man.
12:15pm: CJI Khehar addresses the audience and talks on the issue of judicial vacancies. He says, “Shortage of judges handicaps the judicial system,” adding that an impact can be made if judges work on some of their vacations.
11:34am: “We fought against emergency, therefore we are committed to independence of judiciary,” says Union law minister Prasad
11:33am: Prasad also calls for expedited appointment of judges to the Allahabad high court
11:31am: Central law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says the justice department will launch a portal shortly to give legal aid. Asks lawyers to register so as to give legal aid to poor
11:24am: Postal department issues an envelope on the occasion to mark the court’s 150 years
11:15am: Supreme Court judge Deepak Misra releases a silver coin on occasion of sesquicentennial celebration
11am: PM Modi, Adityanath, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, CJI Khehar on stage at the function marking Allahabad HC’s 150th year.
10:24am: PM Modi is greeted by Yogi Adityanath as he arrives in Allahabad
9:30am: A short circuit inside the tent set up for the programme. Security and fire brigade personnel bring things under control.
8:30am:
PM’s UP visit
- 9:40am: CM Yogi Adityanath and governor Ram Naik will arrive at Bamrauli airport in a state helicopter. They will receive the PM at the airport before leaving for the venue of the function.
- 10:30am: Closing ceremony of Allahabad HC’s 150th year celebrations. PM Modi will leave for Jammu after the function.
- 1:05pm: UP governor and chief minister will fly back to Lucknow.
Other dignitaries who will attend the function in Allahabad include Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, UP governor Ram Naik, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, chief justices and judges of other high courts.
(With inputs from agencies)
Source: HindustanTimes