The Supreme Court of India faces backlog of cases. Every year, thousands of new cases are filed. The current Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, has implemented a new strategy to address this issue. His approach focuses on prioritising special leave petitions (SLPs). This method aims to reduce the number of pending cases efficiently.
About Special Leave Petitions
Special Leave Petitions are appeals against High Court orders. The Supreme Court must grant permission to hear these cases. Currently, the court accepts only 14% of SLPs filed. This statistic marks the need for effective management of case listings. The quick dismissal of SLPs can reduce the pending case numbers.
Weekly Case Schedule
Justice Khanna has restructured the weekly hearing schedule. Mondays and Fridays are reserved for fresh cases. The court hears SLPs for three days each week. This change allows for expedited decisions on cases that require less time. The aim is to quickly decide whether to admit or dismiss these petitions.
Case Processing Timeline
Typically, hearings for SLP admissions last about one minute and thirty-three seconds. In contrast, full hearings can take over four years before a judgement is delivered. This disparity emphasises the need for prioritising quicker processes. The backlog of over 82,000 cases necessitates a streamlined approach.
Previous Chief Justices’ Approaches
CJI Khanna’s predecessors had different strategies. Former CJI D Y Chandrachud focused on long-pending constitutional matters. He prioritised regular hearing cases, which led to a reduction in pending cases during his tenure. The contrasting approaches highlight the challenges of managing case backlogs effectively.
Administrative Machinery of the Supreme Court
Behind the Supreme Court’s public functions lies an intricate administrative system. The court’s Registry manages case listings and administrative duties. Cases are filed by Advocates-on-Record. After verification, they are assigned a diary number. This process ensures that cases are accurately tracked and managed.
Case Listing Process
Cases are listed for hearing based on their type. Fresh matters are heard on Mondays and Fridays. Non-miscellaneous days are reserved for cases requiring detailed hearings. This structured approach helps manage the court’s workload efficiently. It also allows for experimentation with case listings to tackle pendency effectively.
Future of Case Management
The Supreme Court’s current strategy reflects an ongoing effort to manage case loads. The prioritisation of SLPs could set a precedent for future case management. The effectiveness of this approach will likely influence how the court handles backlogs in the long term.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the implications of backlog in the Indian judicial system on access to justice.
- Examine the role of the Chief Justice of India in managing the Supreme Court’s case load and judicial efficiency.
- Analyse the impact of technology on case management in the Supreme Court of India.
- Estimate the effects of prioritising special leave petitions on the overall functioning of the Supreme Court.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically discuss the implications of backlog in the Indian judicial system on access to justice.
- Backlog leads to delayed justice, undermining the principle of timely adjudication.
- It disproportionately affects marginalized groups who may lack resources to pursue prolonged legal battles.
- Long pendency can erode public confidence in the judicial system and its effectiveness.
- Judicial delays can result in financial, emotional, and social costs for litigants.
- Access to justice is hindered as people may avoid legal recourse due to perceived inefficiency.
2. Examine the role of the Chief Justice of India in managing the Supreme Court’s case load and judicial efficiency.
- The Chief Justice sets the agenda and prioritizes cases to be heard, influencing case flow.
- They have the authority to allocate benches and manage court schedules effectively.
- Through administrative reforms, the CJI can implement strategies to reduce backlog.
- The CJI represents the judiciary and engages with the government to address systemic issues.
- Leadership style of the CJI can impact overall judicial efficiency and public perception.
3. Analyse the impact of technology on case management in the Supreme Court of India.
- Technology streamlines case filing and tracking, reducing administrative delays.
- e-Filing systems enhance accessibility for lawyers and litigants, promoting efficiency.
- Digital records facilitate quicker retrieval and management of case information.
- Online hearings and virtual courts can help address backlogs, especially during crises.
- However, technological disparities can create access issues for some litigants.
4. Estimate the effects of prioritising special leave petitions on the overall functioning of the Supreme Court.
- Prioritizing SLPs can lead to quicker resolutions, reducing the overall backlog of cases.
- This approach allows the court to focus on cases with a higher likelihood of admission, optimizing time spent.
- It may result in less attention to long-pending regular cases, potentially prolonging their resolution.
- Streamlined processes for SLPs can enhance judicial efficiency and public trust in the system.
- The focus on SLPs could set a precedent for future case management strategies in the court.
