The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has appealed to Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. They urged the finalisation of the MoP, calling for a “transparent, equitable, and merit-driven” framework for judicial appointments.
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai emphasizes the importance of sub-categorisation within SC/ST groups to ensure that affirmative action benefits reach truly deserving individuals. His tenure focuses on reducing case backlog, improving infrastructure, and promoting social justice. Justice Gavai’s notable rulings reflect his commitment to constitutional integrity and equality in the legal system.
Justice Abhay Oka, in his retirement speech, criticized the Supreme Court’s emphasis on the Chief Justice while advocating for democratic reform and greater attention to trial courts. He emphasized the need for transparency and collaboration among judges, highlighting the challenges faced by lower courts and expressing hope for change under the new Chief Justice, BR Gavai.
The lack of Dalit representation in the higher judiciary is a matter of concern for diversity in the system. At the same time, there is gratitude towards the Supreme Court Collegium for focusing on merit instead of caste when making appointments. This highlights the importance of ability while also addressing the need for fairness. Balancing representation and merit remains a key challenge for the judiciary.
The Supreme Court collegium started meeting lawyers being considered for High Court judgeship for the first time. To reduce nepotism, they are avoiding recommending candidates who have close relatives in the judiciary and are giving more chances to first-generation lawyers. These meetings help assess candidates’ suitability better. This step aims to make judicial appointments fairer and more transparent.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) raised concerns in a letter to Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna regarding recent architectural changes at the Supreme Court. They criticized the lack of consultation over glass partitions and the relocation of the National Judicial Museum, fearing these actions could undermine institutional heritage and inclusivity in decision-making.
Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud called for urgent government action to fill 21% of vacant district court positions, emphasizing the need for increased judicial investment. He proposed an “All India Judicial Service Examination” to address staffing shortages and urged for better infrastructure to ensure timely justice and effective governance, particularly for the underprivileged.
The Supreme Court of India emphasized the need for fair bail conditions, stating that high surety amounts violate fundamental rights. The case involved Ashok Sandeep Singh facing multiple charges. Despite being granted bail by the High Court, Singh remained confined due to a prohibitively high surety amount. The Supreme Court intervened, reducing the amount significantly, providing relief to Singh.
