The Union Law Ministry has given its approval to the proposal suggested by the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice to establish regional benches of the Supreme Court throughout India.
On February 6, the Committee submitted a report regarding the action taken on its 133rd report titled “Judicial Processes and their Reforms.”
The 133rd Report, which was presented to the Rajya Sabha on August 7, 2023, and laid on the table of the Lok Sabha on the same day, has now led to a follow-up report on the steps taken by the Ministry of Law & Justice.
The Committee had made 22 recommendations in the report, which have been categorized and examined under four chapters in the action taken report.
One of the key recommendations made by the Committee was the establishment of regional benches of the Supreme Court to enhance access to justice. The action taken report emphasized the significance of these regional benches, stating that they would address the issue of overflowing caseload in the judiciary and reduce litigation costs for the common people.
Additionally, the Committee suggested the preparation and publication of annual reports by High Courts and the Supreme Court to provide transparency regarding their activities.
However, the Committee decided not to pursue certain recommendations in light of the government’s responses. For instance, the proposal to increase the retirement age of High Court and Supreme Court judges was not supported by the government, citing concerns about potential future extensions and challenges in evaluating judges’ performance based on health conditions and judgments.
Furthermore, the Committee advocated for more social diversity in judicial appointments and reassessment of post-retirement jobs for judges. While the government affirmed its commitment to social diversity in judicial appointments, it highlighted the Judiciary’s role in initiating proposals for such appointments.
Moreover, the Committee’s recommendation to reconsider the practice of vacations in High Courts and the Supreme Court is currently awaiting responses from the respective courts.
Finally, there are recommendations for which final responses from the government are pending, such as the mandatory declaration of assets by Supreme Court and High Court judges. The department is currently consulting with the Supreme Court Registry to address this matter promptly.
Overall, the Ministry of Law & Justice has acknowledged the importance of these recommendations and is taking steps to address them in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
