Page 7 - Chief Justice Of India

Technology makes courts more accountable, brings people to courtrooms: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said the technology being a tool to access justice is "deeply intertwined with the very foundations of our republic" and said not only does it make courts more accountable and responsive, but it also brings people closer to courtrooms. The CJI was addressing a 'national conference on the landscape of technology in courts in India and the way forward' here. "I am delighted to deliver the inaugural address at this national conference, which aims to explore the transformative impact of technology on India's courts and map our future trajectory. "The very convening of this conference underscores the significant progress we have made in harnessing technology to enhance justice delivery," said the CJI in his address. Stating that technology is universally acknowledged as an indispensable catalyst for accessible justice, he said this paradigm shift is indeed heartening. "There is no better evidence of the depth and nuance of our discours

People get so fed up with judicial process, they just want settlement: CJI

People get "so fed up" with the matters of courts that they just want a settlement, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Saturday while highlighting the role of Lok Adalats as alternative dispute redressal mechanisms. Lok Adalats are forums where disputes and cases pending in courts or at pre-litigation stage are settled or compromised amicably. No appeal against the mutually accepted settlement can be filed. "Log itna trast ho jate hain court ke mamlon se wo koi bhi settlement chahte hain...Bas court se dur kara dijiye (People are so fed up with the matters of the court that they just want a settlement). This process is the punishment and that is a cause of concern for all of us as judges," Chandrachud said at the commemoration of the special Lok Adalat week at the Supreme Court. The CJI said he got tremendous support and cooperation from everyone including the Bar and the Bench in setting up of Lok Adalat at every stage. Chandrachud said when the panels for the Lok Adal

CJI urged to set up green benches in HCs for disposal of environment cases

A lawyer on Saturday wrote to Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud urging him to constitute dedicated and permanent "green benches" in all high courts for speedy and effective adjudication of environment related matters. Advocate and environment activist Akash Vashishtha said the country is witnessing never-before climate disasters and experiencing increasing massive ecological assaults. He said though the National Green Tribunal has evolved as an effective and efficacious forum for the settlement of disputes, the inherent limitations of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, have been major hurdles for the citizens in seeking environmental justice. "As against a remedy under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, a remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before a High Court is an all-encompassing recourse, enabling citizens, as victims, to seek compensation for the environmental wrongs committed in rem as well as in personam," the letter sent to the CJI said. The lawyer sai

In big relief to law graduates, SC caps advocate enrolment fee at Rs 700

The Supreme Court has said that the current enrolment fee structure charged by the state bar councils is unreasonable as it causes excessive financial burdens on young law graduates

Seven SC benches to take up Lok Adalat matters till Friday: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Monday said the first seven benches of the Supreme Court will hear cases listed for amicable resolution in a special Lok Adalat at 2 pm from today till Friday. The top court is holding the special Lok Adalat till August 3 in an effort to reduce the pendency of cases. "From today till Friday, we will have the Supreme Court Lok Adalat and the first seven benches will sit for it. If lawyers have cases which can go before the Lok Adalat, please bring them," the CJI said at the outset of the day's proceedings on Monday. The CJI had earlier urged citizens who have pending cases before the Supreme Court to take part in the special Lok Adalat to get their disputes resolved amicably and speedily. In a video message uploaded on the apex court's website, the CJI said, "From the 29th of July to the third of August 2024, the Supreme Court is organising a special Lok Adalat. This is part of a series of activities, which the Supreme Court is observing to

Royalty is not tax: Supreme Court allows states to levy minerals cess

Cites fiscal federalism to highlight power of states to tax

SC to regain full strength as Centre notifies appointments of two judges

The Supreme Court will function with its sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Justice of India, after the swearing-in of Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice R Mahadevan

News updates: PM Modi reaches Presidential Palace for private meeting and dinner with Prez Putin

From SC hearing on NEET-UG exam to Mumbai rains, and from PM Modi's Russia visit to RBI's data on employment, catch all the latest news from across the globe here

Take part in special Lok Adalat in SC for speedy resolution of cases: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Friday urged citizens, who have pending cases before the Supreme Court, to take part in the special Lok Adalat from July 29 to August 3 to get their disputes resolved amicably and speedily. In a bid to lessen the pendency of cases in the top court, the special Lok Adalat will be organised in the 75th year of the establishment of the apex court, which came into existence on January 26, 1950 with the coming into force of the Constitution. In a video message uploaded on the apex court's website, the CJI said, "From the 29th of July to the third of August 2024, the Supreme Court is organising a special Lok Adalat. This is part of a series of activities, which the Supreme Court is observing to commemorate the 75th year since the establishment of the Supreme Court." He said most significantly, the judges, who are dedicated to the institution of justice, are concerned about the large backlog of cases. "The Lok Adalat represents a very informal ...

CJI highlights Sebi and SAT's importance in 'stable investment environment'

DY Chandrachud also emphasised that behind the effective functioning of our tribunals and courts, are the registrars, researchers and staff who keep the 'machinery well-oiled'

CJI advises Sebi, SAT to be cautious, pitches for more tribunal benches

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Thursday advised market regulator SEBI and the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) to exercise caution amid a significant surge in equity markets and pitched for more tribunal benches to ensure that the "backbone is stable". Inaugurating the new SAT premises here, CJI Chandrachud pitched for authorities to consider opening up new benches of the SAT given the higher workloads because of higher quantum of transactions and newer regulations. Referring to newspaper articles calling the crossing of the 80,000 points milestone by the BSE as an ecstatic moment, where India is entering a "stratospheric domain", the CJI pointed out that such events emphasize the need for regulatory authorities to ensure that everyone holds their "balance and nerves" amid the wins. "The more you see the surge in the stock market, the greater the role, I believe, for SEBI and SAT, as institutions which will exercise caution, celebrate the successes but at the same time

'Constitutional Morality' essential to India's diversity: CJI Chandrachud

Espousing the importance of implementing Constitutional Morality' in Indian jurisprudence, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday insisted on the commitment of courts to ensure diversity, inclusion and tolerance. Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day East Zone II Regional Conference of the National Judicial Academy, the CJI also focused on the importance of technological advancements in the justice delivery system. CJI Chandrachud elaborated on the notion of Constitutional Morality' as a restraining factor on the state that should derive from the Preambluar values of the Constitution. Underlining the country's federal structure that's marked by a great deal of diversity, the CJI focused on the role of judges in preserving the diversity of India. I am reticent when people call courts a temple of justice. Because that would mean the judges are deities which they are not. They are instead servers of the people, who deliver justice with compassion and empathy, CJ

21 int'l bodies ask CJI for early resolution of Adani coal imports case

At least 21 international organisations have written to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and requested the Supreme Court to speedily resolve the pending case filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, investigating Adani Group firms for alleged overvaluation of Indonesian coal imports. The letter comes after a report by the London-based Financial Times, citing documents from George Soros-backed Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), alluded to a "fraud" by the Adani Group by selling low-grade coal as high-value fuel in 2013. Contending that they stand firmly against the continued use of fossil fuels, the organisations said the Financial Times report provided fresh and detailed evidence of the passing off of "low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel" by the Adani Group in transactions with Tamil Nadu's Tangedco. The 21 international organisations that have written to Chief Justice Chandrachud are Australian Centre for International Justice, Banktrack,

WB teacher recruitment scam: 'It is a systemic fraud', says CJI Chandrachud

The bench noted that the state government lacked evidence indicating that its authorities had maintained the data and inquired about its availability

SC to consider plea of Delhi govt against law giving Centre upper hand

The Supreme Court on Friday told the Delhi government that it would consider listing its plea challenging the central government's law establishing pre-eminence of the lieutenant governor over the elected dispensation in controlling services in the national capital. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was urged by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the AAP government, that the whole administration has come to a standstill and the matter needed to be heard. The CJI said presently a nine-judge bench matter is going on and he will consider the submission. Presently, the nine-judge bench headed by the CJI is hearing petitions raising a vexed legal question whether private properties can be considered "material resources of the community" under Article 39(b) of the Constitution, which is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The top court had earlier referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the Delhi ..

India set for major overhaul of criminal justice system with new laws: CJI

Hailing the enactment of the new criminal justice laws as a watershed moment for society, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said India is set for a significant overhaul of its criminal justice system. Speaking at a conference here on 'India's Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System', he said the new laws would be successful if "we as citizens adopt them". The newly enacted laws have transitioned India's legal framework on criminal justice into a new age, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud said. He also said that much-needed improvements have been introduced to protect the interests of victims and carry out investigation and prosecution of offences efficiently. "The enactment of these laws by Parliament is a clear indication that India is changing and on the move, and needs new legal instruments to deal with the current challenges," the CJI said. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tush

AI in modern processes raises complex ethical, legal considerations: CJI

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern processes, including court proceedings, raises complex ethical, legal and practical considerations that demand a thorough examination, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Saturday. The CJI said AI represents the "next frontier of innovation" and its use in court adjudication presents both opportunities and challenges that warrant nuanced deliberation. Justice Chandrachud said while AI presents unprecedented opportunities, it also raises complex challenges, particularly concerning ethics, accountability and bias and addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from stakeholders worldwide, transcending geographical and institutional boundaries. He was speaking at a two-day conference on technology and dialogue between the Supreme Courts of India and Singapore. Chief Justice of Singapore Justice Sundaresh Menon, and several other judges and experts were also present during the conference. Justice Chandrac

To browbeat, bully others is Cong culture: PM on lawyers' letter to CJI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said it is a "vintage Congress culture" to browbeat and bully others, remarks that came in reaction to more than 600 lawyers writing to the Chief Justice of India, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts. "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation," Modi said on X. "No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," the prime minister said and tagged a post that carried the letter written by the lawyers. More than 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, especially in cases of

Lawyers write to CJI against groups trying to 'pressure' judiciary

A group of lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, have written to the Chief Justice of India, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to pressure the judiciary and defame courts "on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas". "Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric," their letter, dated March 26, addressed to CJI D Y Chandrachud said. The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by the day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter said, claiming that their comments ar

Was trolled and abused for changing seating position, says CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday recalled a recent incident of him facing 'trolling' and 'vicious abuse' for adjusting his seating position, during a hearing due to a discomfort and highlighted the need for judicial officers to manage stress and ensure work-life balance. He was speaking after inaugurating the 21st Biennial State Level Conference of Judicial Officers titled, "Equity and Excellence for Futuristic Judiciary", organised by the Karnataka State Judicial Officer's Association. Speaking on work-life balance and stress management, which was one of the topics of the two-day conference, he said the capacity to manage stress is significant in the life of a judge, especially for district judges. As judicial officers they regularly engage with vulnerable litigants. Many of the people who come to the courts are stressed about the injustice caused to them, he said. "Sometimes in their dealings with us as judges, they cross the line. As Chief Justice of India, I s