New Delhi: Setting a firm tone for his tenure, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Friday made it unequivocally clear that the Supreme Court will not entertain “luxury litigation,” emphasizing that his priority remains the common citizen seeking justice.
In a stern message to the legal fraternity, the Chief Justice remarked that he is willing to hold court until midnight to ensure justice for the underprivileged but will not cater to the demands of high-profile lawyers seeking preferential urgent hearings.
Priority for the “Smallest Litigant”
The Chief Justice’s observations came during Friday’s proceedings when a senior advocate attempted to mention a matter regarding the demolition of a canteen for an urgent hearing. Turning down the oral request, CJI Kant drew a sharp line between the access demanded by established legal counsel and the needs of ordinary litigants.
“The big lawyers want us to just hear them. There will be no luxury litigation in my court,” CJI Kant asserted. Reaffirming his commitment to equitable access to justice, he added, “My priority is the smallest litigant sitting at the very back and if required, I’ll stay here till midnight for them.”
strict Protocol for Urgent Mentions
This declaration aligns with the procedural reforms CJI Kant introduced immediately upon assuming the office of the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24. Deviating from previous practices, the CJI has mandated that requests for urgent listing must be made in writing via mentioning slips.
Under the new norms, oral requests for urgency are strictly limited to “extraordinary circumstances,” specifically those involving the death penalty or matters of personal liberty.
Clarifying the procedure, CJI Kant stated, “If you have any urgent mentioning, give your mentioning slip along with the cause of urgency; the registrar will examine and in those matters, if we find an element of urgency, will take it up.”
He reiterated that unless a case involves the critical questions of a death sentence or an individual’s liberty, the registry will take the call on listing based on the written submission.
Justice Surya Kant, who will serve as the Chief Justice for a tenure of nearly 15 months, has signaled a clear intent to streamline court time and prioritize substantive justice over procedural maneuvering by powerful interests.
