Daijiworld Media Network - Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar, Mar 26: Gujarat is set to become the second state in India, after Uttarakhand, to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Law Minister Rushikesh Patel announced on Wednesday. The move, aimed at ensuring equal justice for all citizens, aligns with the vision of "One India, Best India," he stated during a discussion in the Assembly following the announcement of the Gujarat Budget 2025-26.

Addressing budgetary allocations for the Law Department, Patel highlighted several key initiatives to enhance the judicial system and streamline legal processes. He revealed that Gujarat will establish three new Arbitration Tribunals in Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara, which will also oversee cases from municipal corporations and panchayats.

To improve digital efficiency in the judiciary, the state has allocated ?27.84 crore under the E-Court Mission Mode Project for digitizing the High Court and subordinate courts. Patel emphasized that this investment will enhance accessibility and speed up judicial proceedings.

Gujarat's judicial system has made significant progress in case resolution, with district courts disposing of 18,41,016 cases in the past year. The state has also set up 595 special courts, including those dedicated to cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and other critical legal provisions.

Additionally, under the Gujarat Victim Compensation Scheme 2019, the government has disbursed ?39 crore over the last three years to support victims of atrocities, acid attacks, and sexual offenses. To strengthen judicial infrastructure, ?73.70 crore has been allocated for constructing 10 new court buildings across various districts and talukas.

Patel also announced the establishment of 75 exclusive special courts for atrocity-related cases, comprising 16 exclusive special courts and 59 designated special courts. Over the past year, 1,171 cases under the Atrocities Act have been resolved, and on February 11, 2025, the Gujarat High Court issued directives to expedite pending cases in district courts.

With these developments, Gujarat continues to take significant steps toward judicial reform and modernization, reinforcing its commitment to delivering efficient and equitable justice.