Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that the judiciary is in talks with the Centre to increase the number of judges in the country across all formats, including the Supreme Court, high courts, and district courts.
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NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized the pressing need to increase the number of judges across all judicial formats in India, including the Supreme Court, high courts, and district courts.
Highlighting the severe shortage, the CJI pointed out-
“India’s judge-to-population ratio is among the lowest in the world.”
The Q&A session, held earlier this month, brought to light the crucial issue of case pendency in the Indian judicial system. CJI Chandrachud attributed the backlog of cases primarily to the inadequate number of judges. He stated,
“Judge to population ratio in India is among the lowest in the world. We simply need more judges. We are engaging with the government to increase the strength of the judiciary at all levels.”
The CJI elaborated on the ongoing efforts to address this issue, noting that the judiciary is in active talks with the Centre to expedite the filling of vacancies and increase the overall strength of the judiciary. He reassured that measures are being taken to ensure vacancies are filled up expeditiously.
Currently, the Supreme Court of India has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges. However, any increase in this number would necessitate a constitutional amendment. This challenge underscores the complexity of the issue and the significant efforts required to bring about change.
Chief Justice Chandrachud’s tenure is set to conclude in November, after which Justice Sanjiv Khanna will succeed him. The new Chief Justice of India’s tenure will span from November 11, 2024, to May 13, 2025.
The call for more judges comes at a time when the Indian judiciary is grappling with an overwhelming backlog of cases. According to recent statistics, millions of cases are pending across various courts in the country, causing delays in the delivery of justice. The proposed increase in judicial strength is seen as a vital step towards addressing this challenge and ensuring timely justice for all.
Chief Justice Chandrachud’s advocacy for more judges highlights the judiciary’s proactive approach in seeking solutions to systemic issues. His engagement with the government reflects a collaborative effort to strengthen the judicial system and improve its efficiency. This initiative is expected to bring about significant improvements in the judicial process, benefiting litigants and enhancing the overall justice delivery system in India.
The upcoming transition in the Chief Justice’s office is also seen as a pivotal moment for the judiciary. Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s leadership will be crucial in continuing the efforts to expand judicial capacity and address the existing challenges. The legal community and the public at large have high expectations for the new Chief Justice’s tenure, hoping for further advancements in the judicial system.
In conclusion, the Chief Justice of India’s call for increasing the number of judges is a critical step towards addressing the long-standing issue of case pendency. With active engagement from the government and the judiciary’s continued efforts, there is hope for a more robust and efficient judicial system in India.
The forthcoming tenure of Justice Sanjiv Khanna is anticipated to build on these efforts, fostering a more effective and responsive judiciary.
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