At a distinguished gathering on Tuesday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna lauded outgoing Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, for his pivotal role in enhancing access to justice and integrating data-driven reforms within the judiciary. This accolade came during the release of three significant Supreme Court publications, attended by President Droupadi Murmu.
Justice Khanna, who is set to be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India later this month, highlighted the impactful tenure of CJI Chandrachud. He noted, “Chief Justice Chandrachud is not only an erudite jurist but he equally understands the importance of information technology and data-driven reforms.”
The publications released at the event include Justice for the Nation: Reflections on 75 years of the Supreme Court of IndiaPrisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion, and Legal Aid through Law Schools: A Report on the Working of Legal Aid Cells in India. These works focus on the critical areas of legal reform, prison conditions, and the extension of legal aid through educational institutions, reflecting the judiciary’s broader commitment to societal improvement.
During his speech, Justice Khanna also echoed President Murmu’s advocacy for addressing the challenges faced by individuals from rural and marginalized backgrounds, including indirect discrimination and the hurdles posed by costs and delays in the legal system. He emphasized that the vision under CJI Chandrachud’s leadership has been transformative, particularly in making justice more accessible.
Justice Khanna also touched upon the innovative concept of open prisons, which he noted offer numerous benefits including lower operational costs, fewer repeat offenders, and restored human dignity. “We have approximately 5.20 lakh prisoners in prisons which suffer from severe overcrowding undermining basic dignity and rehabilitation. A progressive vision is taking shape with 91 open prisons across India,” he stated.
The event highlighted the Supreme Court’s journey of “constant reinvention” and its commitment to hold onto the core principles of democracy while adapting to technological advancements.
