International Yoga day observed across Karnataka; Deve Gowda, 85, steals the show

Mangaluru, Apr 25: In the backdrop of protest staged by locals against the cremation of a 75-year-old woman, who was tested positive for coronavirus, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B on Friday stated that there is no chance of anyone getting infected from a corpse.

Protocols, as laid by the Centre with regard to cremation of Covid-19 patients, will be followed, said Sindhu in a statement.

The release added that the COVID-19 victims would be buried as per their religious customs. Not more than 20 people would be allowed to perform the last rites. Even closest relatives of the deceased would not be allowed to touch or bathe the body, the release said.

Bengaluru, Jan 12: Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind Bobde on Saturday hinted at the possibility of Artificial Intelligence being developed for the court system while making it clear that it will never replace human discretion.

Speaking at an event here, Bobde said, "We have a possibility of developing Artificial Intelligence for the court system. Only for the purpose of ensuring that the undue delay in justice is prevented."

"I must make it clear at the outset as there are times when even judges have asked this. AI is not going to replace human judges or human discretion", he added.

Sharing more details of his vision, he stated, "It is only the repetitive, mathematical and mechanical parts of the judgments for which help can be taken from the system...we are exploring the possibility of implementing it."

Bobde stressed on the requirement of developing AI for judiciary while outlining the number of pending cases in different courts.

"Some people are in jail for 10-15 years and we are not in position to deal with their appeals. The high court's and Supreme Court take so long and ultimately the courts feel that it is just to release them on bail", he said.

Bobde also endorsed employing every talent and skill to ensure delivery of justice in a reasonable time.

"We must employ every talent, every skill we possess to ensure that justice is received within reasonable time. Delay in justice can't be a reason for anybody to take law into their hands. But it's very important for us as courts to ensure there's no undue delay in justice", he said.

CJI Bobde also highlighted the need for pre-litigation mediation and said, "Pre-litigation mediation is the need of the hour especially in the backdrop of a significant pendency that the courts are tackling with. There are innumerable areas where pre-litigation mediation could solve the problem."

He also stressed that the position of a judge is very unique under the constitution and they have to deal with a variety of problems.

"The foundation of civilisation rests on the law. Judicial officers have to deal with a variety of problems...Judges without adequate knowledge, skills and experience may cause distortion, delay and miscarriage of justice", he said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Justice of India Bobde inaugurated the phase-1 of the new building of the Karnataka Judicial Academy on Crescent Road in Bengaluru.

The new building has three floors, besides, the ground floor and two basement floors.

Hubli, Mar 15: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said that his government has asked Centre to help in setting up of labs in view of the coronavirus cases.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the situation in the state on coronavirus, Yediyurappa said, "No new cases were reported on Saturday and Sunday. The cases reported are of people who came from abroad. Government has made all preparation to fight against this. We have asked the central government to help in setting up labs wherever required, shortly we will do it."

"We have taken a lot of precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. For the first time shutdown has been declared for a week. People are also cooperating with us, we will take a further decision after one week," he added.

Karnataka government has said that as of now six cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state, including one person who died.

"Till date six COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state including one death. The 5 Coronavirus positive cases are in isolation at the designated hospital in Bengaluru," the Karnataka government said on Sunday.