CJI Surya Kant calls for introspection on urgent Supreme Court listings
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant suggested improving judicial responsiveness as litigants increasingly seek early hearings for matters pending in high courts.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday called for introspection regarding the responsiveness of the judicial process. Speaking in Kochi, he noted a growing tendency of litigants to move the Supreme Court for urgent listings or early hearings of matters currently pending before high courts, according to The New Indian Express.
The CJI stated that this trend represents a new dimension of litigation flooding the apex court. He said that while the Supreme Court respects the institutional autonomy and roster authority of high courts, the frequency of these requests warrants a review of existing processes.
He raised questions about whether urgent matters could be identified more effectively and if listing procedures could become more transparent. He also suggested exploring how technology might help prioritise cases where delays could cause irreversible prejudice.
Justice Kant further questioned if access to timely justice should depend on a litigant's ability to travel to the national capital. He described these inquiries as matters of collective responsibility rather than institutional criticism.
While inaugurating celebrations for 70 years of the Kerala High Court, the CJI noted that constitutional justice in India relies on a network of 25 high courts. He praised the Kerala High Court for its role in upholding constitutional values and protecting citizens' rights.
The CJI highlighted the Kerala High Court's 1999 order prohibiting smoking in public places as a global benchmark. He also noted the court's role in encouraging women's participation in the judiciary and its progressive judgments on environmental protection.