J. KRISHNAMURTHI TAKES OVER AS UNION MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE

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Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthi assumed the office of the Union Minister of Law and Justice here today. He succeeds Shri Arun Jaitley, who has since resigned and joined Bhartiya Janata Party as its spokesman following the reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers on July 1, 2002.

Immediately after taking over, Shri Krishnamurthi said that having been aware of the dimensions of the ministerial responsibilities, he would uphold the majesty and dignity of law. Talking to media persons the new Law Minister said that all political -party meeting to discuss the Supreme Court judgement of May 2, 2002 regarding amendment in the nomination forms to record criminal antecedents of persons while filing their nominations for contesting elections to Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, slated for July 8, 2002 stood as fixed by his predecessor notwithstanding the Election Commission having already issued notification amending the nomination form. Shri Krishnamurthi said that the Government would decide its stand after ascertaining the views of political parties in the matter. As for expediting justice, Shri Krishnamurthi said that the Government would help courts use more and more high-tech information technology for dispensation of timely and cost effective justice.