Many lawyers in Supreme Court charge Rs 10-15 lakh per hearing: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju

On redundant laws, Rijiju said any such legislation that works as a burden within the lifetime of folk must be removed

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that there are many lawyers within the Supreme Court who charge Rs 10-15 lakh per hearing and raised concerns on how will the common person are ready to afford such high amount. He also said that regional and native languages should be promoted in proceedings at lower and high courts, while arguments and judgments within the Supreme Court can happen in English.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 18th All India Legal Services Authority in Jaipur, Rijiju said people who are resourceful and rich hire high-paid advocates who charge Rs 10-15 lakh for one hearing but the soul cannot afford them. The minister said that any reason which keeps a typical man far from the court could be a matter of concern.

On redundant laws, he said any such legislation that works as a burden within the lifetime of folk must be removed. Around 70 redundant laws are repealed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament starting Monday, the union minister said.

Speaking on the language, the minister said no tongue should be considered inferior to English and asserted he doesn't purchase the view that a lawyer should get more respect, cases or fees only because he speaks more in English.

He also said there should be good coordination between the govt and also the judiciary so justice is delivered expeditiously.

"Arguments and judgments within the Supreme Court happen in English. But our vision is that in high courts and lower courts, regional and native languages have to incline priority," the minister said, delivering his address in Hindi.

"If i've got a controversy speaking in English, I should have the freedom to talk my natural language. i'm not in favour that people who speak more in English should get more respect, more cases or more fees. i'm against it. "We are born with our first language and grew up with it. we must always not consider our tongue inferior to English," he said.