When we were children studying in government schools, it was common for our regular teacher to be on leave. In such cases, a teacher from another class would be assigned to take responsibility for us. They would come, sit for a while, and technically “manage” the class.
Unfortunately, our experience was often disappointing. When the substitute teacher came, there was usually no real teaching. Sometimes they arrived late, stayed for five or ten minutes, scolded the class, and left. There was no sense of responsibility, no proper instruction, and no commitment to the students.
In emergency situations, a single teacher can manage four or five classes at one time if needed. But what we witnessed was not an emergency effort, it was a lack of willingness to take responsibility.
Sadly, I see similar conditions today in the daily court system.
One magistrate has gone for training, and their cases have been distributed among duty magistrates. However, for the past fourteen days, no magistrate has been willing to fully take responsibility for those cases. Officially, duty magistrates are appointed. In practice, decisions are not being made.
As lawyers and representatives, we guide the magistrate on bail matters, we argue, we request, we assist, and we try to convince them. After three days, we find out that the magistrate has changed. Then we begin again, convincing the new magistrate that our client is in jail and deserves consideration. Before any progress can be made, the duty shifts again to someone else. And once more, we start from the beginning.
Today was a weekly hearing day, and as usual, we appeared in the daily court. We were informed that once again, the duty magistrate did not take any decision. Because it was a short working day, our client had to return to jail without relief, enduring continued incarceration simply because no one was willing to decide.
Through this message, I want to appeal to all duty magistrates: please reflect on your responsibility. If you are officially assigned a duty by law, then morally and professionally it becomes your obligation to perform it.
Justice delayed is not just a procedural issue, it directly affects human lives. When decisions are postponed without reason, it is not just paperwork that waits; it is a person sitting in a jail cell.
Responsibility is not optional when it is assigned. If we accept a position of authority, we must also accept the accountability that comes with it.