New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) – Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, along with Supreme Court judges Justice B R Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, convened a crucial meeting with high court judges on Sunday to address pressing issues in the judiciary, including the filling of vacancies, the appointment of ad-hoc judges, and the establishment of evening courts.
The high-level discussion came a day after a national conference was organized by the Supreme Court to evaluate challenges faced by state judiciaries. The top court administration, in a press release, stated that the meeting saw the participation of chief justices and senior-most judges of high courts.
"Issues relating to filling up of vacancies in high courts, appointment of ad-hoc judges in high courts, and establishment of evening courts were discussed," the statement confirmed.
"The idea behind this conference was to engage in a meaningful dialogue with different stakeholders and functionaries in the state judiciary, especially the district courts, to first understand the challenges being faced by them and thereafter, chalk out a plan to address the same," the release highlighted.
The conference was structured into four technical sessions, chaired by apex court judges, including CJI Khanna, focusing on judicial efficiency and systemic improvements. Key discussions included:
Additionally, the conference deliberated on improving the objectivity in recommending district judiciary members for elevation to high courts. Measures to enhance career progression, continuous performance evaluation, and judicial accountability were also key focal points.
With an aim to improve training and capacity building, discussions were held on developing a standardized curriculum for judicial officers. Ensuring transparency in judicial appointments and enhancing court staff accountability were also addressed.
As the Supreme Court continues to drive reforms, the outcomes of these discussions could pave the way for a more responsive and effective judicial system in India.
The high-level discussion came a day after a national conference was organized by the Supreme Court to evaluate challenges faced by state judiciaries. The top court administration, in a press release, stated that the meeting saw the participation of chief justices and senior-most judges of high courts.
"Issues relating to filling up of vacancies in high courts, appointment of ad-hoc judges in high courts, and establishment of evening courts were discussed," the statement confirmed.
A Step Towards Reducing Backlog and Strengthening Judiciary
The Supreme Court recently took a significant step towards addressing the mounting backlog of cases. On January 30, recognizing the burden of over 18 lakh pending criminal cases, the apex court permitted high courts to appoint ad-hoc judges—capped at 10% of their total sanctioned strength. This decision included the relaxation of certain conditions previously set in the Supreme Court’s April 20, 2021, ruling on ad-hoc appointments.Deliberations on Judicial Bottlenecks and Reforms
Saturday's national conference, which preceded the high-level meeting, was attended by judges from the Supreme Court, high courts, and district judiciary representatives. The discussions revolved around identifying bottlenecks in case disposal, reducing judicial backlogs, and streamlining judicial processes."The idea behind this conference was to engage in a meaningful dialogue with different stakeholders and functionaries in the state judiciary, especially the district courts, to first understand the challenges being faced by them and thereafter, chalk out a plan to address the same," the release highlighted.
The conference was structured into four technical sessions, chaired by apex court judges, including CJI Khanna, focusing on judicial efficiency and systemic improvements. Key discussions included:
- Narrowing the gap between case institution and disposal rates.
- Identifying case categories that contribute to excessive judicial dockets.
- Exploring a uniform case categorization system across different courts.
- Leveraging technology to optimize judicial processes.
Focus on Recruitment, IT Infrastructure, and Performance Evaluation
Recognizing the need for a stronger workforce within the judiciary, the discussions emphasized timely recruitment of judicial officers and court staff, continuous empanelment of public prosecutors and legal aid counsels, and the establishment of a permanent IT and data cadre in high courts and district courts.Additionally, the conference deliberated on improving the objectivity in recommending district judiciary members for elevation to high courts. Measures to enhance career progression, continuous performance evaluation, and judicial accountability were also key focal points.
With an aim to improve training and capacity building, discussions were held on developing a standardized curriculum for judicial officers. Ensuring transparency in judicial appointments and enhancing court staff accountability were also addressed.
Way Forward
The conference and subsequent high-level meeting signal a proactive approach by the judiciary in tackling long-standing challenges. By pushing for structural reforms, including technology-driven case management, streamlined recruitment, and evening courts, the judiciary is taking decisive steps to enhance efficiency and accessibility.As the Supreme Court continues to drive reforms, the outcomes of these discussions could pave the way for a more responsive and effective judicial system in India.
