In a significant move towards transparency and administrative efficiency, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant announced on Friday that the Supreme Court will begin publishing regular reports detailing the progress made on the administrative side of the judiciary.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to mark his swearing-in, the Chief Justice also unveiled plans to overhaul the top court’s case listing system to minimize uncertainty for litigants and lawyers.
A New Era of Transparency
Addressing the gathering, CJI Kant emphasized a commitment to accountability, promising that the Supreme Court administration would keep the legal fraternity informed about its activities.
“I must give you also my reports, if not monthly, at least twice or after three months, tri-monthly reports I will give to you that this much has been done and this much is left,” CJI Kant stated. This initiative aims to provide a clear picture of the steps being taken to improve the court’s functioning and infrastructure.
Tackling Case Listing Unpredictability
One of the central concerns addressed by the Chief Justice was the “unpredictability” in the cause list—the schedule of cases to be heard. Acknowledging that uncertainty in listing leads to a waste of valuable court time and inconvenience for lawyers during mentioning, CJI Kant announced a pilot project designed to streamline the process.
The new initiative is set to launch this coming Monday. The Chief Justice noted that while he had shared ideas with the SCBA regarding the streamlining of matters, he anticipates some initial challenges.
“There might be initial hiccups but with your ideas and support, we will resolve all the issues,” he assured the Bar, highlighting that the primary goal is to effectively address the element of uncertainty in daily listings.
Infrastructure Expansion: New Building Underway
On the infrastructural front, CJI Kant confirmed that the Supreme Court is addressing its space constraints head-on. He revealed that construction on a new building for the apex court has already commenced.
“We have already started an ambitious project of construction of the entire new building of Supreme Court. Phase 1 is already going on,” he said. The Chief Justice expressed optimism that within a short span, the new facility would provide sufficient space to resolve issues that have been pending for several years.
The Bar as ‘Family’
Touching upon his relationship with the legal community, CJI Kant described the Bar as his “family,” assuring members that he views their difficulties as his own.
To illustrate his rapport with the Bar, he recalled an incident from his tenure at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He shared how, despite being 10th or 11th in seniority at the time, he was called upon to intervene in a heated altercation between a lawyer and a security officer due to his cordial relationship with Bar members. He noted that he successfully persuaded both sides to settle the matter amicably before court work resumed the next day.
“If you have an individual member facing any difficulty, it is my difficulty virtually as head of the family to look after you,” he affirmed. He further promised to address the requirements of the Bar Associations in a phased manner.
Continuity and Leadership
Concluding his address, CJI Kant paid tribute to his predecessors, acknowledging the pivotal role played by former Chief Justices in strengthening the institution. He cited their leadership, jurisprudence, and commitment as the benchmark for his own tenure.
The event also saw addresses from Attorney General R Venkataramani and SCBA President Vikas Singh.
