CJI Chandrachud is also joined by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Bela M Trivedi.
New Delhi:
To enhance access to justice and promote direct dialogue with the common people, the Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has embarked on an unprecedented visit to rural India. In this historic initiative aimed at connecting with the grassroots, top officials of the judiciary have gathered for a two-day program in the Rann of Kutch region of Gujarat.
The conference, the first of its kind in the history of the country, brings together representatives of all the High Courts as well as 250 District Judges of lower courts across the country. Chief Justice Chandrachud and his fellow judges will directly connect with the district judges in this program which will run on Saturday and Sunday.
CJI Chandrachud is also joined by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Bela M Trivedi. Of special significance is that Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Surya Kant are expected to assume the role of Chief Justice in future.
According to Supreme Court sources, CJI Chandrachud has envisioned a judiciary that actively reaches out to the common people beyond the traditional courtroom setting. The idea involves organizing programs to address issues at the grassroots level.
After e-filing, virtual hearings, live streaming of constitutional cases and translation of judgments in regional languages, the Supreme Court hopes that this campaign to reach out to the common people will also help in maintaining a transparent and accessible judiciary.
Concurring with the CJI, senior judges Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Surya Kant agreed that reaching out directly to the general public is an effective means of bridging the gap between the judiciary and the public. Following discussion among the judges, it was decided to hold a session where direct interaction could take place with lower court judges, wherein concerns related to technology, resources and other logistical aspects could be addressed.
The selection of Kutch in Gujarat as the venue for this historic event was a carefully considered decision. CJI Chandrachud, in consultation with fellow judges, chose Kutch to facilitate open discussion and enable him to formulate effective solutions to the challenges faced by the judiciary in the digital age. Additionally, Justice Bela Trivedi, being from Gujarat, was a valuable addition to the delegation, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the local dynamics.
As the Supreme Court pioneers this new approach to connect with the public, the conference in Kutch promises to promote a more inclusive and responsive judiciary.
