Page 3 - D Y Chandrachud

SC seeks response from 11 states on plea asking setting up of RTI portals

The Supreme Court has sought responses from 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, on a plea alleging that they are yet to set up Right to Information (RTI) portals under the transparency law in pursuance of a 2023 judgment. In the landmark judgment, the top court had on March 20 last year directed all states, Union territories and high courts to set up RTI websites within three months, saying the online facilities would considerably facilitate the fulfilment of the objects of the Right to Information Act, 2005. On Monday, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala took note of the submissions of a lawyer, representing petitioner Anuj Nakade, that as many as 11 states have not set up their RTI websites. "Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner states that the following states and Union territories have yet to comply with the judgment of this court dated 20 March 2023 requiring the setting up of online RTI portals: Andhra Pradesh, ...

CJI advises young law graduates to be great minded, compassionate humans

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Sunday said true leaders recognise their strengths and weaknesses, and use their strengths to build others up while seeking help to cover their blind spots. Speaking at the 32nd Annual Convocation Ceremony of National Law School of India University (NLSIU) here, he stressed on the importance of individuality and decision making with patience. "The process of decision-making is filled with uncertainty but this is hardly anything to be afraid of because it is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that your character is forged. Whatever your path is in the coming years, your own decisions are likely to have positive consequences and I urge you to embark on this journey with patience and humility as your companions," he said. Highlighting the virtue in being patient, Justice Chandrachud said studies have shown that we have become a generation of short-term gratification. "The exigencies of a rapidly changing world, climate change, new modes

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

SC reserves verdict on review plea of customs dept against 2021 judgement

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on the customs department's plea seeking a review of its 2021 judgement that had held that officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have no authority to seek recovery of duties on goods already cleared for import by the customs. In a hearing spanning over four days, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JV Pardiwala and Manoj Misra heard submissions from Additional Solicitor General (ASG) N Venkataraman, appearing for the customs department, and a battery of lawyers led by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who represented private companies in the case. Usually, the review pleas against judgements are considered in chambers by the judges and no oral submissions are allowed.However, the review plea of the customs department was heard in an open court. ASG Venkataraman vehemently sought setting aside of the 2021 judgement, saying the officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are also ...

PM's visit to CJI's residence raises questions over protocol: Sena (UBT)

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's residence on the occasion of the Ganesh festival has raised questions about protocol. In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led party accused Modi of bringing down the last pillar of the Indian polity which has led to the deterioration of the country. The private meeting between the prime minister and chief justice of India has raised questions about protocol," it said, referring to Modi's visit to Chandrachud's residence on Wednesday, which created a row. The editorial said that post-retirement benefits are an alarm bell for the judiciary. In a dig at Chandrachud, Sena (UBT) said it will be interesting to see where the prime minister places him after retirement. According to the website of the Supreme Court, CJI Chandrachud will retire on November 10, 2024. The judges who helped the government in trampling democracy and the Constitution we

PM Modi attends Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence

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

PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence; lawyers react

Senior advocates expressed concerns about the visit, questioning its implications for the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive

WB school jobs row: SC to hear pleas challenging HC verdict on Sept 24

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would hear on September 24 the pleas of the West Bengal government and others challenging a Calcutta High Court order that invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in state government and aided schools. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it may not be able to hear the batch of pleas, listed on Tuesday, due to the hearing of some other matters during the day. "We will list it on September 24," the CJI said. Earlier, the top court had said that it will hear the pleas on September 10 and granted last opportunity to the parties to file their responses to the petitions by August 16. The bench had also asked the nodal counsel -- Astha Sharma, who represents the state government, and Shalini Kaul, Partha Chatterjee and Shekhar Kumar-- to prepare a common compilation of the records in electronic form and ensure that the judgments cited by the parties were part of

UP should ensure justice for reserved category in teacher hiring: Mayawati

The top court had on Monday also stayed the HC verdict setting aside the selection lists of assistant teachers issued by the state authorities in June 2020

SC junks plea over impact of exit polls on investors during LS elections

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, described the PIL as a 'political interest litigation'

President Murmu unveils new flag, insignia of Supreme Court: What it means

During the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, President Murmu called for a change in the 'culture of adjournments' in the judiciary

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

District judiciary our backbone, calling it subordinate must stop, says CJI

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said district judiciary is the "backbone of the judiciary" and thus a crucial component of the rule of law and calling it subordinate must be stopped. Referring to the increasing number of women joining the district judiciary in the past few years, he highlighted that judges, despite being professionals, are affected by their own "brush with reality" and their mental health may suffer as a consequence. Speaking at the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary', which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Justice Chandrachud said district judiciary is the first point of contact for a citizen in search of justice. "The district judiciary is a crucial component of the rule of law," he said, adding, "Data on the NJDG (National Judicial Data Grid) reveals a basic truth - the district judiciary is not just the first but is also the final point of contact for citizens". The CJI said the reasons may be numerous -

District judiciary crucial component of rule of law: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Saturday termed the district judiciary the "backbone of the judiciary" and said it is a crucial component of the rule of law. Speaking at the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary', which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, the CJI said it was necessary to stop calling district judiciary subordinate. "The district judiciary is the first point of contact for a citizen in search of justice. The district judiciary is a crucial component of the rule of law," Justice Chandrachud said. He said the quality of work and the conditions in which the judiciary provides justice to citizens determine whether they have confidence in the judicial system. "The district judiciary is therefore called upon to shoulder tremendous responsibility and is aptly described as the 'backbone of the judiciary'. The spine is the core of the nervous system," the CJI said. "To sustain the spine of the legal system, we must stop calling the

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

SC collegium denies Justice Shamim's request, repeats transfer to Madras HC

Declining Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shamim Ahmed's request for reconsideration of his transfer to the Madras High Court, the Supreme Court Collegium on Friday reiterated his transfer for better administration of justice. According to a resolution uploaded on the apex court website, on August 21, 2024, the Collegium, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, proposed the transfer of Justice Ahmed. "In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, we have consulted one of the Judges of the Supreme Court who, being conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, is in a position to offer views on the proposed transfer. "We have also consulted the Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad and the Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. Mr Justice Shamim Ahmed, however, by a representation dated 22 August 2024 has requested reconsideration of the proposal for

SC reserves verdict on ineligible arbitrator's ability to nominate another

The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on the vexed legal question of whether a person ineligible to become an arbitrator can nominate another as one. Before the arguments concluded, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the focus should be on ensuring that arbitration as a mechanism to resolve disputes was strengthened. During the arguments on Friday, the bench heard the submissions of several lawyers including senior advocates Mahesh Jethmalani, N K Kaul and Gourab Banerji. "This is an issue where our focus on this side should be to ensure that arbitration as a mechanism is strengthened and, therefore, I started by saying that any arguments on either of the extremes would do harm to the cause which we are all concerned with," Mehta told the bench, also comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy, P S Narasimha, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The top court had on August 28 commenced hearing arguments on th