Chief Justice Gavai Criticizes Lawyers for Avoiding Judicial Work During Vacations
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice B R Gavai has expressed frustration over the lack of judicial activity during the summer vacation, attributing the backlog of cases to the unwillingness of lawyers to work during this period.
In a recent hearing, a lawyer sought to schedule a petition for listing after the summer vacation, prompting a response from the CJI. During the discussion, the bench of Chief Justice B R Gavity and Justice Augustine George Masih highlighted that the judiciary is not the sole culprit in the case backlog.
“The first five judges are sitting through the vacation and continuing to work, yet we are blamed for the backlog. In reality, it is lawyers who are unwilling to work during the vacations,” the CJI stated.
Recently, the Supreme Court issued a notification outlining the functioning of benches during the upcoming summer vacation, which has been rechristened as “partial court working days” from May 26 to July 13. The notification specifies that there will be two to five vacation benches operating during this period, with even the top five judges, including the CJI, holding courts during this time.
Earlier, the summer vacation was marked by only two vacation benches. The new arrangement aims to ensure that the judiciary remains functional during the break, but the CJI’s comments suggest that the issue lies with the legal professionals rather than the court system itself.
The CJI’s remarks come as the judiciary grapples with the challenge of managing a growing backlog of cases. While the court system has made efforts to maintain operations during the vacation, the CJI believes that the real problem is the lack of engagement from the legal community during this period.
The situation underscores the need for a coordinated approach to ensure that both the judiciary and the legal profession work in tandem to address the backlog. The CJI’s comments highlight the importance of maintaining a balance between the legal community’s vacation periods and the need for continued judicial activity.
As the summer vacation progresses, the Supreme Court will continue to monitor the situation and may take further steps to address the backlog. The CJI’s statements serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by the judiciary in maintaining efficiency and timely resolution of cases.