On the 75th Constitution Day, CJI Sanjiv Khanna highlighted the need for balance among government branches and emphasized judicial independence as a catalyst for justice. He noted significant court case backlogs but positive resolutions and improvements in clearance rates. Addressing disparities in judicial workforce and access to justice, he urged for transparency to build trust in the judiciary.
New Delhi: On the 75th Constitution Day, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna emphasized the importance of maintaining inter-institutional balance among the branches of government, highlighting their interconnected roles. Addressing an event in the national capital, CJI Khanna remarked,
“Each branch of the government is not a satellite in an independent orbit but rather a related actor which works in a degree of separateness. Each branch must honour its constitutionally assigned distinct role by nurturing inter-institutional equilibrium.”
CJI Khanna underscored that judicial independence serves not as a high wall but as a catalyst for justice. He noted,
“The Constitution by design insulates judiciary from the ebbs and lows of the electoral process. This ensures the decisions are unbiased and free from ill-will and guided solely by the Constitution and laws.”
The CJI shed light on the immense scale of cases being handled by Indian courts, revealing staggering numbers. In the past year alone, district courts received over 2.8 crore cases, high courts dealt with 16.6 lakh cases, and the Supreme Court saw 54,000 cases. This has resulted in a backlog of 4.54 crore cases in district courts and 61 lakh cases in high courts.
Despite these challenges, CJI Khanna highlighted positive developments:
- District courts resolved over 20 lakh criminal cases and 8 lakh civil cases in 2022.
- The Supreme Court’s case clearance rate improved from 95% to 97%.
- The judiciary facilitated the release of 15 lakh prisoners in 2022, including 3 lakh undertrials.
The CJI expressed gratitude to the central government for approving Rs 7,200 crore for Phase III of the e-Courts project, enabling the judiciary to adopt cutting-edge technologies such as real-time transcription and speech-to-text tools.
Acknowledging the disparity between the number of judges and the growing demand for justice, CJI Khanna stated,
“Our judicial workforce comprises 20,000 judges in district courts, 750 judges in high courts, and 34 in the Supreme Court. Despite this vast disparity, the data tells a different story of resilience.”
The CJI also identified key areas requiring attention:
- Arrears and backlog of cases.
- Delays and high litigation costs.
- Lack of access to justice for marginalized groups.
- The large population of undertrial prisoners.
- The phenomenon of a “trust deficit” in the judicial system.
Transparency and openness, according to the CJI, are vital to strengthening trust in the judiciary. “By opening ourselves to scrutiny, we can identify systemic inefficiencies and bottlenecks and work towards eliminating them,” he remarked.
Justice B.R. Gavai reflected on the Constitution’s role as a unifying force, stating,
“The Constitution has represented the aspirations and unity of our diverse nation across generations. Marginalized communities often draw strength from its principles to advocate for their rights.”
He described the enduring relationship between the Constitution and the people as a testament to its role in driving social change and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.
As India marked Constitution Day, the judiciary reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding democratic principles and addressing the challenges of the justice system with innovation and resilience.
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