Page 6 - Cji

PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence; lawyers react

Senior advocates expressed concerns about the visit, questioning its implications for the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive

Only 6.7% court infrastructure at district level female-friendly: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Sunday said the fact that only 6.7 per cent court infrastructure at the district level is female-friendly needs to be changed. Speaking at the 'National Conference of the District Judiciary', Chandrachud said it should be ensured that courts provide safe and accommodating environment for all members of the society. "We must without any question, change the fact that only 6.7 per cent of our court infrastructure at the district level is female-friendly. Is this acceptable today in a nation where at the basic level of recruitment in some states over 60 or 70 per cent of the recruits are women? Our focus areas are on increasing accessibility measures which can be understood by carrying out infrastructural audits. "Opening in-court medical facilities, creches and technological projects like e-seva Kendras and video conferencing devices. These endeavours aim to increase access to justice. "Axiomatically, we must also ensure that our courts provi

Sibal urges CJI Chandrachud to appoint more women in higher judiciary

Highlighting the dearth of women judges, Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Friday urged Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud to appoint more women lawyers and judges in higher judiciary. Paying tributes to Justice Hima Kohli, the ninth in seniority among the apex court judges, who is due to retire on September 1, Sibal said she carved her career and chartered her own course in life. With the retirement of Justice Kohli, the number of apex court judges will come down to 33 against the sanctioned strength of 34. Now, the top court will be left with only two women judges -- Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Bela M Trivedi. "I request the Chief Justice of India to look at law firms and women who are aware of the complexities of the business community. If Indians, Indian women, can become CEOs of Pepsi and run banks in India and lead commercial organisations in India, why should not women lawyers working in law firms dealing with complex legal

'Can you send Rs 500?': Man poses as CJI DY Chandrachud; SC files complaint

The Supreme Court filed a cybercrime complaint against a scammer who posed as CJI DY Chandrachud and asked money for a cab fare

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

Technology should be means of ensuring justice to everyone: CJI Chandrachud

CJI informed that the central government has given approximately Rs 7,000 crores to all the state governments to regenerate the information infrastructure

State bar councils cannot charge sky-high fees for enrolling lawyers: SC

State bar councils cannot charge exorbitant fees for enrolling law graduates as lawyers as it perpetuates "systemic discrimination" against marginalised and economically weaker sections, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday. Stating that "dignity is crucial to substantive equality", the bench observed that state bar councils (SBCs) and the Bar Council of India (BCI) cannot "alter or modify" the fiscal policy laid down by Parliament. They are users of delegated powers under the Advocates Act, 1961, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said, specifying that they cannot charge more than Rs 650 and Rs 125 for enrolling law graduates from the general and SC-ST categories, respectively. The verdict, which was reserved on April 22, came on 10 pleas filed by some lawyers who claimed SBCs were levying exorbitant enrolment fees, and the counter pleas of some SBCs. It was alleged that the enrolment fee is Rs 42,100 in Odisha, Rs 25,000 in Gujarat, Rs 23,650 in Uttarakhand, Rs 21,460

"Call security..." CJI DY Chandrachud warns lawyer during NEET-UG hearing

During the hearing of NEET-UG case as advocate Mathew Nedumpara intervened to answer CJI DY Chandrachud’s query on the issue, CJI asked him not interrupt the proceedings.

Supreme Court rejects NEET-UG retest, finds no evidence of systemic breach

The Supreme Court stated that after reviewing data from the National Testing Agency and a report by IIT Madras, it found no evidence of a mass-scale paper leak

Teaching law in regional languages can improve legal system's access: CJI

Chief Justice of India Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday said law students should be well-versed with regional languages and laws related to regional issues so that people's access to the legal system can be improved. Addressing the third convocation of Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow, Justice DY Chandrachud underscored the importance of imparting legal education in easy language, asserting that it is currently a shortcoming in the legal profession. Citing an analysis done by the research department of the Supreme Court on 81 universities and colleges, the CJI said, "It was found that common people experience hurdles in understanding their rights and schemes meant for them as they do not know English." "This means that in law universities, legal education is imparted English, and many times, students at legal aid centres are not able explain legal procedures to the common people in regional languages," he said. Justice Chandrachud said he was not blami

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'

Court premises made of hope, to realise virtues of justice: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that court premises like all buildings are not just made of bricks and concrete but are made up of hope and to realise the virtues of justice and the rule of law.Chief Justice of India Chandrachud's remark came while addressing a gathering on the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for construction of court buildings -- Karkardooma, Shastri Park & Rohini Sector-26."Court premises like all buildings are not just made of bricks and concrete. They are made up of hope. Courts are made to realise the virtues of justice and the rule of law. Every case that is being filed before us, is with that hope for justice. When we invest in the safety, accessibility and comfort of our judges, lawyers and litigants, we build more than just an efficient system - we make a just and inclusive system," CJI said.He also said that these GRIHA-rated buildings would be lush with greenery and have shaded facades, diffusion of natural sunlight inside the buildings, ..

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,

CJI Chandrachud holds bilateral meeting with Uzbekistan's chief justice

CJI Chandrachud is in Tashkent to attend a gathering of chief justices from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries

CJI Chandrachud congratulates Kapil Sibal on being elected SCBA president

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Friday congratulated senior advocate Kapil Sibal on being elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). "Mr Sibal, heartiest congratulations on our behalf for being elected as the president of the SCBA. We look forward towards your cooperation and (that of) the members of the executive committee," the CJI said while holding a ceremonial bench. Thanking the CJI, Sibal said, "It is my honour that after 22 years, I have been given this opportunity to serve the bar. From our side, you will have complete cooperation and that's our commitment to the bench. It is through this cooperation that we can take the agenda forward." Sibal was elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Thursday. Besides Sibal, senior advocates Adish C Aggarwala, Pradeep Kumar Rai, Priya Hingorani and advocates Tripurari Ray and Neeraj Srivastava were in the running for the post of SCBA president. According to sources, S

CJI calls for international collaboration to combat juvenile cybercrimes

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said juvenile justice systems must adapt by enhancing international cooperation and sharing best practices to tackle growing transnational digital crimes involving minors, amidst the rapid evolution of technology. Chandrachud is here on a three-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Chief Justice of Nepal Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha. Addressing a National Symposium on Juvenile Justice, Chief Justice Chandrachud said, "When discussing juvenile justice, we have to recognise the vulnerabilities and unique needs of children embroiled in legal conflicts and ensure that our justice systems respond with empathy, rehabilitation, and opportunities for reintegration into society." It is crucial to grasp the multifaceted nature of juvenile justice and its intersections with various dimensions of the societies, he said. Chandrachud said with technology evolving rapidly, juveniles are diving into cybercrimes like hacking, cyberbullyin

SC refuses to consider listing of plea on abolition of collegium system

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider listing of a plea seeking abolition of the collegium system of judges appointing judges in the higher judiciary. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the plea of lawyer Mathews Nedumpara that his writ petition seeking abolition of the collegium system has to be listed for hearing. I have mentioned it several times. The registry has rejected it and is not listing my petition, the lawyer said. The Registrar (Listing) has said that once the Constitution bench has ruled on something, an Article 32 petition (under the Article a plea can directly be filed in the Supreme Court on grounds of infringement of fundamental rights) is not maintainable. There are other remedies against the registrar's order, the CJI said. The review petition against the NJAC judgement was dismissed in the chambers, the lawyers said, adding, This is about the credibility of the institution. The ...

21 retired judges write to CJI against attempts to 'undermine' judiciary

Former Supreme Court and high court judges expressed concerns over attempts by certain factions 'to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement'

Probe agencies must have balance between search, seizure powers: CJI

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Monday said there is a need to have a "delicate balance" between the search and seizure powers vested with investigative agencies like the CBI and an individual's right to privacy. The CJI was delivering his keynote address at the 20th D P Kohli memorial lecture in the memory of the first director of the federal probe agency. In the realm of criminal justice, the delicate balance between search and seizure powers and individual privacy rights stands and this is at the cornerstone of a fair and just society, Justice Chandrachud said. He added that at the heart of this balance lies the need to uphold due process. The CJI also flagged "unwarranted" confiscation of personal devices, saying there was a pressing need to strike a balance between investigative imperatives and individual privacy rights. He also asked the investigative agencies to "pick their battles", saying instead of spreading out too thinly in various cases, they should ..

Three criminal laws crucial step towards modernising justice system: CJI

The CJI said that the new laws encompass "substantive crime, procedure and evidence" and keeping a digital record of every stage of criminal investigation ensures a seamless flow of information