Lawyers can't be portrayed as sharks in cartoons: Chief Justice of India

Srinagar: Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir today said the image of lawyers, who are depicted as “sharks” in cartoons, needs to be changed to that of a socially responsible citizen.

“Lawyers are shown as sharks in cartoons…that has to change. The lawyers have to show that we are socially responsible citizens,” the Chief Justice said in his address to faculty and students of Law department at Kashmir University here.

“You should participate in legal aid work. There is a social commitment (for lawyers). Law is not something you do for only yourself but for the society as well,” he said.

Justice Kabir said there were plenty of avenues for law graduates in the changing world but they should also do their bit for the society.

The Chief Justice said among the avenues available to the law graduates are higher studies and the whole corporate world.

The advent of Internet has led to the specialisation of even law courses as the world wide web has helped in exchange of ideas, he said.

“The Information Technology Act was started with the intention of highlighting the authenticity of documents. The digital signatures were also included in it. The law had to be altered so as to use the technological advances which has brought professionalism in law,” he said.

The Chief Justice said he will take up on priority the empanelment of Kashmir University’s Law department students as research assistants and law clerks to the Supreme Court judges.

“But you will also have to be cooperative. You have to come to Delhi and stay there for at least one year,” he said responding to the suggestion of allowing the Kashmir University students the opportunity to work with Supreme Court judges.

PTI