CJI Surya Kant said the Supreme Court is ready to sit even at midnight to deliver justice to the poor, rejecting luxury litigation by the rich. His remarks revive memories of the historic 3 AM Supreme Court hearing in 2015 in the Yakub Memon case.
Supreme Court Justice Manmohan called the Kesavananda Bharati judgment India’s key contribution to global rule-of-law discourse. He said, “This basic structure doctrine has ensured the Constitution has survived 75 years, far beyond the usual 20-year lifespan.”
CJI Surya Kant vows to prioritize justice for the poorest litigants, stating, “I am here for the smallest…poorest litigant in the last row.” He makes it clear that luxury litigation has no place in his court.
Today, on 26th November, the 76th Constitution Day, CJI Surya Kant said Article 32 is the heart and soul of the Constitution, stressing that justice becomes real only when citizens can access courts without hurdles. He urged steps to bridge the gap between rights and reality.
CJI-Designate Justice Surya Kant said, “Legal aid is where constitutional design meets reality and its availability must be made easier,” emphasising that true justice can be achieved only when legal assistance is accessible to every citizen equally.
The Supreme Court Bar Association will organise an 8KM Run/Walkathon themed “Justice for All” in New Delhi on November 9, starting 7 AM from the Supreme Court Gate, to promote equality, legal awareness, fitness, and unity in the legal community.
The Delhi High Court strongly criticised lawyers for joining virtual court hearings from moving cars, observing that such conduct causes inconvenience, wastes precious judicial time, and hampers access to justice, defeating the purpose of using technology in courts.
Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most Supreme Court judge, stressed that the judiciary must evolve and innovate to effectively tackle modern challenges like digital exclusion, climate change, displacement, and transnational migration, warning that failure to do so could limit its true potential.
At the 2nd National Mediation Conference in Bhubaneswar, Justice Surya Kant said trials deliver verdicts but mediation delivers futures. He urged lawyers to embrace dialogue as the true path to lasting justice.
CJI BR Gavai said, “Strength of a legal professional lies in upholding justice, and legal education must democratise access.” He stressed that law should empower citizens, ensure fairness, and cultivate lawyers committed to protecting constitutional values.
