Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Wednesday took a sharp dig at the legal fraternity, asserting that lawyers’ reluctance to work during court vacations contributes significantly to the mounting case backlog, even as the judiciary is often unfairly blamed.
His remarks came during a hearing when a lawyer sought to have a petition listed after the court’s summer break. Sitting alongside Justice Augustine George Masih, the visibly displeased CJI responded, “The first five judges are sitting through the vacation and continuing to work, yet we are blamed for the backlog. In reality, it is the lawyers who are unwilling to work during the vacations.”
In a marked shift from past practices, the Supreme Court recently announced an expanded schedule for its upcoming summer session, branding it as “partial court working days.” Spanning from May 26 to July 13, the schedule introduces a greater judicial presence during the traditionally low-activity vacation period.
Unlike earlier years, which typically saw only two vacation benches and excluded senior judges from courtroom duties, the 2024 summer schedule will feature between two to five benches. Notably, even the top five judges of the apex court, including the CJI himself, will be holding proceedings.
The official notification detailed the bench allocation for the initial week of the session. From May 26 to June 1, the five vacation benches will be presided over by Chief Justice Gavai, and Justices Suryakant, Vikram Nath, J K Maheshwari, and B V Nagarathna.
The Supreme Court registry will also remain operational from 10 am to 5 pm during this period, with the exception of Saturdays (excluding July 12), Sundays, and public holidays.
The strong remarks from the CJI signal a push for shared responsibility in tackling judicial delays, as the top court seeks to enhance efficiency even during its traditional recess.
