Page 2 - D Y Chandrachud

SC rules in favour of DRI authority; clears recovery of Rs 20,000 cr tax

This ruling confirms that DRI officers qualify as "proper officers" under Section 28 of the Customs Act, enabling them to issue show-cause notices

President Murmu's speech on plight of prisoners prompted SC report: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday revealed it was President Droupadi Murmu's speech on the plight of inmates that "kindled" a conversation, prompting the publication of a report by the Supreme Court. CJI Chandrachud, speaking at the release of "Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion" at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, thanked the President for her "stirring speech" highlighting the plight of prisoners, especially undertrials, at the 2022 Constitution Day celebrations. "The speech of the President kindled a conversation at the Supreme court and culminated in one of the reports being released today. This report is a result of the President's vision and it is but appropriate that it is being released by her," he said. The CJI added, "I daresay that this is an example of what can be achieved when the different branches of the state share a constitutional goal." Apart from the report on the prisons, the President released "Justice

Judiciary's independence doesn't mean delivering verdicts against govt: CJI

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Monday said the independence of the judiciary does not mean always delivering verdicts against the government. Speaking at an event here organised by the Indian Express group, Chandrachud said there are pressure groups trying to get favourable verdicts by putting pressure on the courts by using electronic media. "Traditionally, judicial independence was defined as independence from the executive. Independence of the judiciary even now means independence from the government. But that is not the only thing in terms of judicial independence. "Our society has changed. Particularly with the advent of social media, you see interest groups, pressure groups and groups which are trying to use electronic media to put pressure on the courts to get favourable decisions," he said. Chandrachud, who demits office on November 10, said a lot of these pressure groups term the judiciary independent if judges decide in their favour. "'If you do not decide in my favour

Nothing wrong in PM's visit to my residence on Ganpati: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Monday said there was "nothing wrong" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his residence on Ganpati Puja and underscored the need for a "sense of maturity in political sphere" on such issues. "The PM visited my residence for Ganpati Puja. There is absolutely nothing wrong as these are continuing meetings between the judiciary and the executive even at social level. We meet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Republic Day, etc. We are in conversation with the prime minister and the ministers. This conversation does not involve the cases which we decide but life and society in general," Chandrachud said at an event organised by the Indian Express group. The CJI said one had to respect that a dialogue took place as part of a robust inter-institutional mechanism and separation of powers between judiciary and the executive did not mean the two not meeting. On his statement that he prayed to God for the solution to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dispute, .

No forward movement on 4 names reiterated by Collegium headed by CJI

There has been no forward movement on the names reiterated by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud for appointment as high court judges as he demits office as the chief justice of India on November 10. The collegium had in January 2023 reiterated the names of advocates Saurabh Kirpal for elevation as a judge of the Delhi High Court, R John Satyan as judge of the Madras HC, and Amitesh Banerjee and Sakya Sen as judges of the Calcutta High Court. The top court collegium had also reiterated the name of Somasekhar Sundaresan, also an advocate, as judge of the Bombay High Court in January 2023. In November that year, he was elevated as a judge of the Bombay HC. People aware of the procedure to appoint high court and Supreme Court judges said the files relating to Kirpal, Satyan, Banerjee and Sen are still pending with the government. In Januaary 2023, the Supreme Court collegium had for the second time reiterated the names of Banerjee and Sen for appointment as

A institution can be improved, doesn't mean it is fundamentally flawed: CJI

Every institution can be improved, but it should not lead to the conclusion that there is something fundamentally wrong with it, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said here on Saturday while talking about the collegium system. He was speaking during an interaction after delivering the inaugural lecture in a series organized by the Marathi daily 'Loksatta' here. On a question about the collegium system of appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges, the chief justice said it is a federal system where the responsibility has been given to different levels of governments (both the centre and the states) and the judiciary. "It is a process of consultative dialogue, where consensus emerges, but at times there is no consensus, but that's part of the system. We must have the maturity to understand that this represents the strength of our system," Chandrachud said. "I wish, we will be able to foster a greater consensus, but the point of the matter is, this is dealt with a very .

Lawyers must learn paying proper salaries to youngsters: CJI Chandrachud

Lawyers must learn to pay proper salaries and emoluments to the youngsters who enter their chambers to learn, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has said In an interview with the All India Radio, Chandrachud said the legal profession is a difficult one where the foundation laid in the initial years keeps the young lawyers in good stead throughout their careers. "There are always ups and downs in a profession. Initially, the amount you make at the end of your first month in the legal profession may not be very high," the CJI said. So it is important to encourage the first timers to hang in, put in the hard work, and be sincere in what they do, Chandrachud said. "Equally, our structures must change as well. For instance, lawyers must learn how to pay proper wages, salaries and emoluments to the young lawyers who enter their chambers," he said. "Youngsters come to their chambers to learn. They also have a great deal to share, so it is a two-way process of absorption and sha

Journalists no longer need law degrees to cover Supreme Court, CJI rules

This change aims to broaden the scope for journalists without legal backgrounds, empowering more voices to report on India's top court

Will hand over next tranche of land for new Bombay HC by Dec: Maha govt

The Maharashtra government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it will hand over the next tranche of land by December for construction of the Bombay High Court's new building complex in Mumbai's Bandra region. The state government also informed a special bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai and JB Pardiwala that so far it has not received the possession of the Air India building in south Mumbai where the mediation centre of the Bombay High Court is proposed to be shifted. The state government said possession of 30.16 acre of land will be handed over to the high court in a phased manner, adding the first tranche measuring 4.39 acres has already been given. Next tranche of land will be made available by December, Birendra Saraf, Advocate General of the state government, told the bench. The law officer also said a judges committee headed by the chief justice of the Bombay High Court has fixed the next meeting with state officials on November 12-13

SC curtails Centre's authority on industrial alcohol; overturns 1990 ruling

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, writing for himself and seven other judges, declared that the central government does not possess regulatory authority over industrial alcohol

No place for derogatory language against women in courtrooms: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said all forms of derogatory language, particularly against women, have no place in courts, noting that insensitive words can perpetuate stereotypes and may disproportionately affect women and marginalised communities. The CJI referred to complaints from women judicial officers about the use of derogatory language by some members of the administrative establishment towards women. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the North Goa District Courts Complex near Panaji, the CJI said, "We must actively work to dismantle all barriers to have truly democratic access to justice". "As we strive for inclusivity within our courtrooms, the language which we use must reflect our ethos. We must be vigilant in our choice of words ensuring that our language is not only precise but also respectful and intrusive," the CJI said. He said the insensitive or dismissive language can perpetuate stereotypes and may disproportionately affect women

Climate change affects the most marginalised, need to learn from past: CJI

The effect of climate change can be seen everywhere and it is affecting the most marginalised sections of society, including fisherfolk and farmers, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said here on Saturday. Speaking at the release function of Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai's book 'Traditional Trees of Bharat', the CJI also said the State as well as citizens will have to work together to protect, conserve and improve environment. "I was told it rained even yesterday in Goa. As children, we were told rain would fade away on Nariyal Poornima, when fisherfolk offer coconuts to the sea. But now, it rains in October and even in December. Climate change is not necessarily our doing," he said, adding it was inherited from previous societies who pursued industrial revolution leading to greenhouse gas emissions. "Climate change is not affecting just the affluent, it is affecting the most marginalised sections of society, like fishing communities and farmers. Our response to climate ...

Have tried to make SC a people's court since becoming CJI: Chandrachud

CJI DY Chandrachud, further asserted that AORs are a vital stakeholder in all the decisions which the Court makes and have a crucial voice in the Court's administrative and judicial decision-making

SC junks plea for cases' disposal within fixed time, says 'not American SC'

The Supreme Court on Friday said it was not the American Supreme Court as it dismissed a plea seeking directions for the disposal of cases pending before all the courts in the country within a fixed time frame. A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed that the plea sought disposal of all cases in courts, including the apex court, between 12 and 36 months. "We are not the American Supreme Court," remarked the top court after the petitioner highlighted the presence of a time frame for disposal of cases in other countries. "You want hearing in all the cases to be disposed of within 12 months in the Supreme Court?" the bench questioned the petitioner. The CJI then remarked although it was "very desirable" the same was "unachievable". He added several things were required for such an exercise, which included enhancing the infrastructure and increasing in the number of judges. The top court questioned the petitioner whether he wa

Child marriage prevention cannot be undermined by personal laws: SC

Authorities should focus on preventing child marriages and protecting vulnerable minors, with penalising offenders being a last resort: Supreme Court

Ayurveda's critical elements not just confined to India: CJI DY Chandrachud

After Prime Minister's efforts, Ayurveda's credibility has also increased, and I am deeply grateful to him for entrusting me with the Ministry of Ayurveda to serve millions

CJI Chandrachud names Justice Sanjiv Khanna as successor; approval pending

Upon government approval, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India, with six-month tenure until his retirement on May 13, 2025

SC dismisses plea seeking 24 hr Sindhi language channel on Doordarshan

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea by an NGO which sought directions to the Centre to start a 24-hour Sindhi language channel on Doordarshan. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra rejected NGO Sindhi Sangat's petition challenging an order of the Delhi High Court which dismissed the plea. The top court said there may be other means to preserve the language. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the NGO, said one of the ways to preserve the language is through public broadcasting. The NGO has moved the top court against the May 27 order of the high court which dismissed the plea, saying the decision of Prasar Bharati not to start a 24-hour Sindhi language channel is based on an intelligible differentia. The high court, in its order, said the NGO has been unable to persuade it concerning the legal right or constitutional right to seek directions for allocating a 24-hour Sindhi channel on Doordarshan and its plea was ...

SC grants interim bail to former chairman of Pune Cooperative bank

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim bail on medical grounds to former chairman of a Pune-based cooperative bank in a case linked to alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds of the lender worth Rs 429 crore. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra gave relief to Amar Sadhuram Mulchandani, the ex-chairman of the Seva Vikas Cooperative Bank, after taking note of his medical condition. The top court perused a report filed by a board of four expert doctors of the J J Hospital, Mumbai. It also took into account that Mulchandani has been inside jail for over an year. The money laundering probe against Mulchandani, who was arrested on July 1 last year, and others stems from multiple FIRs registered by the Pune Police on the basis of complaints of the bank and the audit conducted by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies which pointed to large-scale fraud and misappropriation of public funds causing a loss of Rs 429 crore to the Seva Vi

CJI presides over MoU signing to boost India-Bhutan judicial cooperation

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, along with his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Chogyal Dago Rigdzin, presided over the signing of four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing judicial and legal cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. Besides the chief justice, the CJI, who was on an official visit to Bhutan from October 7 to October 10, also met the king of the Himalayan country, Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and discussed a range of issues with them, including the "unique and special ties of friendship and cooperation" between the two countries. On October 9, Justice Chandrachud discussed ways to strengthen bilateral judicial cooperation with his Bhutanese counterpart. "At the premises of the Supreme Court of Bhutan, the two Chief Justices presided over the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at enhancing judicial and legal cooperation between India and Bhutan. "These included the