The Supreme Court as a "public institution" needed to be opened for common people on Saturdays barring holidays, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said Thursday.
The CJI also inaugurated the Centre for Research and Planning, an "in-house think tank" and launched a portal through which citizens can book their visit to the court, which will be open from 10 AM to 1 PM every Saturday, except on declared holidays.
The common public can now have a guided tour of courtrooms, judges' library on Saturdays.
The think tank would carry out "cutting-edge research" into fundamental jurisprudence and the principles and doctrines of law as well as on judicial reforms for improvement in justice delivery system.
"As my colleagues are concerned I really seek a post-facto approval. The decision was entirely mine. I did not consult any of you. I apologise for it but I hope you will approve of it," the CJI said candidly when discussing the aspects to be covered by the 'think tank'.
In a function organised at Judges' lounge, Justice Gogoi said, "The in-house centre will be a very small body but it will be meant for domain experts all over the country who will be contributing their line of thoughts."
Dealing with the aspect of throwing open the gates of apex court for common public, Justice Gogoi said, "It is an experiment, a very limited exposure to the Supreme Court, a public institution that I thought should be opened up in a limited way."
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