Page 2 - Chief Justice Of India

Thriving constitutional order based on institutional trust in courts: CJI

Institutional trust in courts and their credibility is the very basis of a thriving constitutional order, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandcrachud said on Wednesday. The CJI was speaking at the Bhutan Distinguished Speakers' Forum, a part of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck Lecture Series, on the subject of 'Judicial Legitimacy through accessibility, transparency and technology: the Indian experience'. Dealing with the issue of public trust, the CJI said that courts do not directly hold resources as trustees of people. But as public functionaries, the courts are vested with the responsibility to give effect to equity, and judicial bodies are not directly in charge of the manner in which resources are distributed, he said. "However, it does fall upon us to adjudicate the fairness of that distribution, should it be questioned," the CJI said. "Yet the courts of the country do require public trust and legitimacy. Institutional trust in the constitutional and other courts of the country

'What legacy will I leave': CJI reflects on his tenure ahead of retirement

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who took up the role of CJI on November 9, 2022, is set to retire on November 10, 2024

'Not a western concept': SC stresses importance of sex education in India

The Supreme Court said that the perception that sex education is a western concept has resulted in opposition from several state govts, leading to bans on sex education in schools in certain states

Need to create awareness about rare diseases in society: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday emphasised on the need to create awareness about rare diseases among the society, on being empathetic and supportive to such parents and their families regardless of cultural, religious or traditional barriers. He said we can no longer afford to be unaware of genetic diseases. Citing the National Policy of Rare Diseases launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2021, he said that further research is necessary to define the definition of rare diseases and stressed on the need to ensure equitable access to advanced medical therapy like gene therapy in a diverse nation like India. Speaking at the conference organised by Narayana Nethralaya Foundation on Gene therapy and precision medicine, Justice Chandrachud noted, "In a country like India, home to the largest population in the world with over 4,600 distinct population groups, many of which are endogamous, we face a heightened burden of rare diseases. Unfortunately

'Why is it pending': SC pulls up govt over non-appointment of judges

The Supreme Court Collegium is not a search committee for judges whose recommendations can be stalled, said CJI

Row over PM Modi attending Ganpati Puja at CJI's residence: BJP slams Oppn

With a row erupting over Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's residence, the BJP and it's ally hit out at the opposition parties, calling their reactions "reckless" and said casting "baseless aspersions" on the highest court sets a dangerous precedent. Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday participated in the Ganpati Puja at the CJI's residence here. In a video, Chandrachud and his wife Kalpana Das were seen welcoming Modi at their house. Several opposition leaders and some lawyers of the Supreme Court reacted sharply to Modi attending the puja at the CJI's residence. "Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated and people visit each other's house... I don't have information whether the prime minister has visited anyone's house," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said. Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated at several locations in Delhi and at Maharashtra Sadan, he said. "However, the prime minister visited the CJI's residen

Only 6.7% court infrastructure at district level female-friendly: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Sunday said the fact that only 6.7 per cent court infrastructure at the district level is female-friendly needs to be changed. Speaking at the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary', Chandrachud said it should be ensured that courts provide safe and accommodating environment for all members of the society. "We must without any question, change the fact that only 6.7 per cent of our court infrastructure at the district level is female-friendly. Is this acceptable today in a nation where at the basic level of recruitment in some states over 60 or 70 per cent of the recruits are women? Our focus areas are on increasing accessibility measures which can be understood by carrying out infrastructural audits. "Opening in-court medical facilities, creches and technological projects like e-seva Kendras and video conferencing devices. These endeavours aim to increase access to justice. "Axiomatically, we must also ensure that our courts provi

Must make efforts to change 'adjournments culture' in courts: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said that efforts need to be made to change the "culture of adjournments" in courts to ensure swift justice. Addressing the valedictory event of the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary here, she said that the pendency of court cases is a big challenge for "all of us". "All possible efforts need to be made to change the culture of adjournments in courts," she said. Murmu said all judges of the country have the responsibility to protect justice. She said common people's stress level increases in courtroom settings, a phenomenon she coined as "Black court syndrome," and suggested it be studied. She also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers. The event was attended by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal. Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the programme held at the Bhar

Sibal urges CJI Chandrachud to appoint more women in higher judiciary

Highlighting the dearth of women judges, Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Friday urged Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud to appoint more women lawyers and judges in higher judiciary. Paying tributes to Justice Hima Kohli, the ninth in seniority among the apex court judges, who is due to retire on September 1, Sibal said she carved her career and chartered her own course in life. With the retirement of Justice Kohli, the number of apex court judges will come down to 33 against the sanctioned strength of 34. Now, the top court will be left with only two women judges -- Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Bela M Trivedi. "I request the Chief Justice of India to look at law firms and women who are aware of the complexities of the business community. If Indians, Indian women, can become CEOs of Pepsi and run banks in India and lead commercial organisations in India, why should not women lawyers working in law firms dealing with complex legal

Justice Hima Kohli fierce protector of women's rights: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud hailed Justice Hima Kohli on Friday, saying she is not just a woman judge but also a fierce protector of the rights of women. The CJI was holding a ceremonial bench for Justice Kohli, who is due to retire on September 1. Justice Kohli was the ninth in seniority among the apex court judges. With her retirement, the top court will be left with only two women judges -- Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Bela M Trivedi. "It has been a pleasure to sit with Justice Kohli. We have exchanged very serious ideas and thoughts. There have been times when she supported me. Hima, you are not just a woman judge but also a fierce protector of the rights of women," the CJI said. Attorney General R Venkataramani said Justice Kohli dedicated her entire life to the cause of justice. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, "We have always seen a very tough exterior on the bench but we have also seen a very soft, humane and compassionate side of Justice Kohli." "She

Ceiling on net borrowing: SC to set up 5-judge bench to hear Kerala's plea

The Kerala government on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking early setting up of a five-judge Constitution bench to hear its lawsuit against the Centre raising the issue of ceiling on net borrowing. The state government has raised a question whether a State has an enforceable right to raise its borrowing limits from the Union government and other sources. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was told by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state government, that the matter was referred to a Constitution bench on April 1 and the apex court official was not sending an email for setting up of the bench. I will look into it, the CJI said. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan on April 1 had referred the matter to a five-judge Constitution bench and this can now be set up by the CJI by an administrative order. The apex court, however, had refused to grant any interim injunction to Kerala, saying the state has

Recent events in Bangladesh remind the value of freedom, liberty, says CJI

Emphasising the importance of freedom and liberty, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Thursday noted that the recent events in neighbouring Bangladesh remind the value of these rights. Speaking to mediapersons after hoisting the national flag in the Supreme Court premises here, Chandrachud said Independence Day reminds us of the duties the country's people have towards each other and the nation in realising all the values of the Constitution. "What is happening today, say, in Bangladesh is a clear reminder of how precious liberty is for us. It is very easy to take freedom and liberty for granted but it is important to understand the past stories to remind us how important these things are," he said. The CJI's remarks came amid mounting concerns in India over widespread incidents of attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh after prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled on August 5 following weeks of violent unrest. CJI Chandrachud said many lawyers gave up their leg

Technology makes courts more accountable, brings people to courtrooms: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said the technology being a tool to access justice is "deeply intertwined with the very foundations of our republic" and said not only does it make courts more accountable and responsive, but it also brings people closer to courtrooms. The CJI was addressing a 'national conference on the landscape of technology in courts in India and the way forward' here. "I am delighted to deliver the inaugural address at this national conference, which aims to explore the transformative impact of technology on India's courts and map our future trajectory. "The very convening of this conference underscores the significant progress we have made in harnessing technology to enhance justice delivery," said the CJI in his address. Stating that technology is universally acknowledged as an indispensable catalyst for accessible justice, he said this paradigm shift is indeed heartening. "There is no better evidence of the depth and nuance of our discours

People get so fed up with judicial process, they just want settlement: CJI

People get "so fed up" with the matters of courts that they just want a settlement, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Saturday while highlighting the role of Lok Adalats as alternative dispute redressal mechanisms. Lok Adalats are forums where disputes and cases pending in courts or at pre-litigation stage are settled or compromised amicably. No appeal against the mutually accepted settlement can be filed. "Log itna trast ho jate hain court ke mamlon se wo koi bhi settlement chahte hain...Bas court se dur kara dijiye (People are so fed up with the matters of the court that they just want a settlement). This process is the punishment and that is a cause of concern for all of us as judges," Chandrachud said at the commemoration of the special Lok Adalat week at the Supreme Court. The CJI said he got tremendous support and cooperation from everyone including the Bar and the Bench in setting up of Lok Adalat at every stage. Chandrachud said when the panels for the Lok Adal

CJI urged to set up green benches in HCs for disposal of environment cases

A lawyer on Saturday wrote to Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud urging him to constitute dedicated and permanent "green benches" in all high courts for speedy and effective adjudication of environment related matters. Advocate and environment activist Akash Vashishtha said the country is witnessing never-before climate disasters and experiencing increasing massive ecological assaults. He said though the National Green Tribunal has evolved as an effective and efficacious forum for the settlement of disputes, the inherent limitations of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, have been major hurdles for the citizens in seeking environmental justice. "As against a remedy under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, a remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before a High Court is an all-encompassing recourse, enabling citizens, as victims, to seek compensation for the environmental wrongs committed in rem as well as in personam," the letter sent to the CJI said. The lawyer sai

In big relief to law graduates, SC caps advocate enrolment fee at Rs 700

The Supreme Court has said that the current enrolment fee structure charged by the state bar councils is unreasonable as it causes excessive financial burdens on young law graduates

Seven SC benches to take up Lok Adalat matters till Friday: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Monday said the first seven benches of the Supreme Court will hear cases listed for amicable resolution in a special Lok Adalat at 2 pm from today till Friday. The top court is holding the special Lok Adalat till August 3 in an effort to reduce the pendency of cases. "From today till Friday, we will have the Supreme Court Lok Adalat and the first seven benches will sit for it. If lawyers have cases which can go before the Lok Adalat, please bring them," the CJI said at the outset of the day's proceedings on Monday. The CJI had earlier urged citizens who have pending cases before the Supreme Court to take part in the special Lok Adalat to get their disputes resolved amicably and speedily. In a video message uploaded on the apex court's website, the CJI said, "From the 29th of July to the third of August 2024, the Supreme Court is organising a special Lok Adalat. This is part of a series of activities, which the Supreme Court is observing to

Royalty is not tax: Supreme Court allows states to levy minerals cess

Cites fiscal federalism to highlight power of states to tax

SC to regain full strength as Centre notifies appointments of two judges

The Supreme Court will function with its sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Justice of India, after the swearing-in of Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice R Mahadevan

News updates: PM Modi reaches Presidential Palace for private meeting and dinner with Prez Putin

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