New Delhi/Alive News: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Sunday called for introspection to make the judicial process more responsive and ensure that litigants get timely justice. He expressed concern over the growing number of people approaching the Supreme Court for urgent listing or early hearings of cases pending before High Courts.
Speaking at the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Kerala High Court in Kochi, the CJI said the Supreme Court has always respected the institutional autonomy of High Courts, including their authority to manage their own case listings. However, the increasing requests for urgent hearings raise questions about whether the existing procedures can be improved.
He suggested making urgent case identification more effective, ensuring greater transparency and predictability in listing procedures, and using technology to prioritise cases where delays could cause serious or irreversible harm.
The CJI also questioned whether access to timely justice should depend on a litigant’s ability to travel to New Delhi.
Justice Kant said constitutional justice in India does not begin and end in the national capital. The country’s 25 High Courts play a crucial role in protecting citizens’ rights and upholding the rule of law.
He highlighted the importance of High Courts under Article 226 of the Constitution, which gives them wide powers to provide relief in legal, administrative and other disputes. He said timely interim orders are equally important because justice sometimes depends on whether a court intervenes at the right moment.
Referring to the Kerala High Court’s 70-year journey, he praised its contribution to constitutional rights, environmental protection and personal liberty. He also recalled its 1999 order banning smoking in public places, describing it as an example of judicial foresight.
