CJI Chandrachud on court cases: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Saturday (February 4) said that for a court, every matter is important and no matter is big or small and also highlighted that the apex court’s COVID- During the 19 pandemic time more than three lakh cases were heard.
Addressing a gathering to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the Supreme Court of India, the CJI said, “For the court, there is no case big or small as every case is important. It is in small and routine cases involving complaints . Issues of constitutional and jurisprudential importance to the citizens come to the fore. In attending to such complaints, the Court performs a plain constitutional duty, obligation and function.”
CJI Chandrachud made the remarks while addressing a gathering to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the Supreme Court of India. Chief Justice of Singapore Supreme Court Sundaresh Menon also participated in the event and delivered a lecture on “Role of Judiciary in a Changing World”.
Court functioning amid COVID-19 pandemic:
Chandrachud also mentioned how the court adopted innovative technologies to reach out to the people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and said, “Between March 23, 2020 and October 31, 2022, the apex court conducted video conferencing alone 3.37 lakh cases heard through
He also mentioned that the court is now allowing hybrid mode to participate in the proceedings from any corner. The CJI said, “In the recent budget, the Government of India announced a provision of Rs 7000 crore for the third phase of the e-courts project.”
He further said that this would help in increasing the reach of judicial institutions and improve the efficiency of the justice delivery system in India. “Such efforts will ensure that the courts actually reach each and every citizen of our country,” he said.
Quoting the first Chief Justice of India HJ Kania, the CJI said that the Supreme Court will play an important role in nation building. He also said that over the years, the Court has taken forward a transformative vision of the Constitution by recognizing and protecting fundamental rights such as the right to privacy, decisional autonomy, and sexual and reproductive choices.
Chandrachud said the court has emerged as a strong advocate of gender equality, be it interpreting inheritance laws or securing women’s entry into the armed forces.
CJI on death penalty and other issues:
The CJI also highlighted the guidelines relating to death penalty and the various mitigating and aggravating circumstances which a judge must take into account while awarding death sentence and psychological assessment of death row convicts-human impact on the law should keep. Thus, the Court has sought to humanize the law and use the language of the Constitution to act as a protector and protector of fundamental rights and liberties, the CJI said.
The CJI also mentioned important changes related to the adoption of legislation such as the Competition Act and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Recalling the foundation of the SC, he said the Supreme Court came into existence on January 28, 1950, two days after India adopted its constitution and became an independent sovereign republic and now serves the world’s most populous democracy and in the right aspects. A ‘people’s court’ because it is the collective heritage of the people of India.
(With ANI inputs)
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