New Delhi, Nov 12: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna announced on Tuesday that no oral submissions for the urgent listing and hearing of cases will be allowed, urging lawyers to submit requests via email or written letters.
Traditionally, lawyers would mention their cases before the CJI-led bench at the start of daily proceedings to seek out-of-turn hearings on grounds of urgency. However, in a new directive, the CJI stated, “No written or oral mentionings anymore. Only in email or written slip/letters. Just state the reasons for urgency.”
Justice Khanna, who was sworn in as the 51st CJI by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, emphasized his commitment to citizen-centric judicial reforms. He underscored the judiciary’s constitutional duty to ensure equal treatment and easy access to justice for all citizens, regardless of their status or wealth.
In his first statement as CJI, Justice Khanna spoke of the judiciary’s critical role as the guardian of constitutional rights and the protector of fundamental freedoms. “The judiciary is an integral, yet independent, part of the governance system. The Constitution trusts upon us the responsibility of being the protector of fundamental rights and the service provider of justice,” he said.
Highlighting key challenges facing the judiciary, the CJI focused on reducing case backlogs, making litigation more affordable, and simplifying complex legal processes. His vision includes a more approachable and user-friendly justice system.
Justice Khanna also emphasized the need for comprehensible judgments, efficient criminal case management, and the promotion of mediation to expedite dispute resolution and deliver timely justice. He pledged to prioritize reducing trial durations and adopting systematic approaches to make legal procedures less burdensome for citizens.
In line with his goals, he expressed a willingness to embrace feedback and ensure that the justice delivery framework remains fair, impartial, and accessible to all.
