New Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said her government is working on a proposal to shift Tihar Jail—South Asia’s largest prison complex—to the outskirts of the national capital in order to address overcrowding and improve prison administration.

Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), Gupta underlined that effective governance is incomplete without an efficient justice delivery system. She said the Delhi government is simultaneously focusing on strengthening judicial infrastructure by creating additional courtrooms, developing new court complexes, and expanding fast-track courts to ensure timely justice.

“Ease of living is not possible without ease of justice. With this in mind, we are prioritising the expansion of court infrastructure, reinforcing fast-track mechanisms, and taking steps to move Tihar Jail out of the city,” the Chief Minister said.

Established in 1958, Tihar Jail was originally built to accommodate around 10,026 inmates. However, it currently houses more than 19,500 prisoners, leading to significant overcrowding and security concerns.

Gupta also referred to reforms at the national level, stating that the legal landscape has been simplified since the Modi government assumed office. She noted that hundreds of outdated laws have been repealed and nearly 1,500 statutes removed, helping streamline procedures and reduce unnecessary legal complexities.

The event also marked the inauguration of the SILF Mediation Centre, aimed at encouraging alternative dispute resolution and easing the mounting pressure on courts. The gathering was attended by Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, senior judges, and prominent members of the legal fraternity.

Congratulating SILF on completing 25 years, Gupta recalled the role of late Arun Jaitley in guiding the organisation during its formative years, adding that SILF has grown into a robust institutional body representing the legal profession across sectors.

SILF President Dr. Lalit Bhasin said the organisation has recently completed a new building on Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg. He said two floors have been dedicated to online arbitration to reduce litigation costs, while a separate mediation facility will function as a pro bono initiative offering non-litigation advisory support to citizens.

Senior Vice President Manoj Singh stressed that accessibility remains the foundation of justice. He questioned whether justice can truly be considered a right if it depends solely on physical access, and called for greater use of technology, artificial intelligence, and legislative clarity.

Tracing SILF’s origins, Vice President Pallavi Shroff said the organisation was established in 2000 to give law firms a collective voice. Since then, she added, SILF has worked towards enhancing global competitiveness through technology, skill development, and improved infrastructure.

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During the event, CM Rekha Gupta also honoured Zia Mody, Jyoti Sagar, Shardul Shroff, V. Lakshmikumaran, Justice Tejas Karia of the Delhi High Court, Dr. Manoj Kumar of the Ministry of Law and Justice, and Rajiv Luthra for their contributions to the legal field.