Prez inaugurates Fourth Retreat of SC Judges at Bhopal today

Speaking at the ceremony, Mukherjee said, "The Retreat will provide a forum to discuss contemporary challenges that the country faces today."

Hailing the judiciary, the President said that it is the final interpreter of constitution and laws and added that the role of judiciary is sacrosanct.

"Judiciary, which is one of the three important pillars of our democracy, is final interpreter of Constitution & laws. As an upholder of the Rule of Law and enforcer of the right to liberty, the role of the Judiciary is sacrosanct."

He also said that the judiciary must maintain its standard and faith imposed on them by the common people.

"The faith and confidence people have reposed in the Judiciary must always be maintained," President Mukherjee said.

He also said that justice must be quick, affordable and accessible.

"For justice to have meaning to the people, it must be accessible, affordable and quick."

Calling the Constitution a 'living document and not a relic cast in stone', he said that it is a magna-carta for socio-economic transformation.

"We have a written Constitution in India, which is a living document, not a relic cast in stone. Constitution is a magna carta of socio-economic transformation."

He also praised the Supreme Court and judiciary for enlarging the scope of justice in India.

"The Apex Court of India has continuously been interpreting the mandate for good governance enshrined in Constitution. Given the circumstances of our developing country, the judiciary has enlarged the scope of justice. The Supreme Court through judicial innovation and activism has expanded the common law principle of ‘locus standi’," the President said.

Mukherjee also warned that judicial activism should not lead to dilution of powers.

"At the same time, judicial activism should not lead to the dilution of separation of powers," he said.

"Each organ of our democracy must function within its own sphere and must not take over what is assigned to the others," Mukherjee added.

Calling the Constitution, the supreme, he said that equilibrium in exercise of authority must be maintained.

"The balance of power between the three organs of the state is enshrined in our Constitution. The Constitution is supreme; the equilibrium in the exercise of authority must be maintained at all times."

"Quick delivery of justice is sine qua non for efficient jurisprudence," he added.

Reiterating his sentiment about speedy justice, Mukherjee said, "Justice delayed is justice denied; Justice should be speedy, accessible and affordable."

Mukherjee also agreed that the pending cases in courts in India is large, but commended the judges for providing efficient work.

"Our Courts are today overburdened on account of the large number of cases pending before them. The pendency of cases is also dependent upon the number of vacancies in the courts," he said.

"Efforts made by CJI to speedily fill up vacancies in HCs &SC commendable, Judges should continue to maintain this tempo," Mukherjee added.