New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) TS Thakur today broke down at a meeting in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while making a strong case for increasing the strength of judges from the present 21,000 to 40,000 to handle the ‘avalanche of litigations’.
Addressing the inaugural session of Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts, Justice Thakur said that since 1987, when the Law Commission had recommended increase in the number of judges from then 10 judges per 10 lakh people to 50, ‘nothing has moved’.
"...And therefore, it is not only in the name of a litigant or people languishing in jails but also in the name of development of the country, its progress that I beseech you to rise to the occasion and realise that it is not enough to criticise. You cannot shift the entire burden on the judiciary," the Chief Justice of India said in a choking voice.
"Then comes inaction by the government as the increase (in the strength of judges) does not take place," he added.
He said following the Law Commission's recommendation, the Supreme Court in 2002 had also supported increasing the strength of the judiciary. A Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committee on Law then headed by Pranab Mukherjee had also recommended taking the judge to people ratio to 50 from 10.
As of today, the judge to people ratio stands at 15 judges to 10 lakh people which is way less than as compared to the US, Australia, the UK and Canada.
"In 1987, the requirement was 40,000 judges. From 1987 till now, we have added 25 crore in terms of population. We have grown into one of the fastest growing economies of the world, we are inviting foreign direct investment into the country, we want people to come and make in India, we want people to come and invest in India,” the CJI said.
"Those whom we are inviting are also concerned about the ability of the judicial system in the country to deal with cases and disputes that arise out of such investments,” the CJI added.
Referring to Modi government's 'Make in India' and 'Ease of doing business' campaigns, he said, “Efficacy of the judicial system is so vitally connected with the development.”
PM Modi assures CJI of support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, assured him of his government's resolve in finding a solution jointly with the judiciary. He said that people of India have a lot of faith in the judiciary and this is a big asset.
“NDA government is thinking of removing laws that are obsolete and outdated,” he said, adding that the “government will hear the issues concerning the judiciary and work with the judges to find solutions”.
The Prime Minister said ‘if constitutional barriers do not create any problems, then top ministers and senior Supreme Court judges can sit together in a closed room to find a solution to the issue’.
The Prime Minister also said that it is the responsibility of all to ensure that the common man continues to have faith in the judiciary and his government will fulfil the responsibility and will not falter in helping to make the common man's life easier.
"Jab jaago tab savera" (better late than never)," Modi said, referring to the issues flagged by Justice Thakur. "I can understand his pain as a lot of time has lapsed since 1987. Whatever has been the compulsions, but its better to be late than never. We will do better in the future. Let us see how to move forward by reducing the burden of the past," he said.
Justice Thakur said that the average disposal in India is 2,600 cases per annum as compared to 81 cases per annum in the United States. He also asked the state Chief Ministers present at the event to increase the cadre strength of the lower judiciary.
While lauding the new law to create commercial divisions in the high courts and the commercial courts at the lower level, the CJI said the new courts need separate infrastructure and new judges.
He said without proper infrastructure and environment, such courts will not serve the purpose as dealing with cases that require a different handling. "Old wine in a new bottle will not serve the purpose," he said, adding that an "emotional appeal" made by him "may work" in getting the government take note of the problems being faced by the judiciary.
Speaking on the occasion, Law Minister Sadananda Gowda expressed concerns over growing pendency and number of under trials in country.
“Centre and the states spent 2000 crore rupees per annum in the last three years for development of infrastructure. Government is aiming to establish 20,000 court houses in near future,” he said.
With PTI Inputs
