chief-justice-defends-judiciary-workload-and-collegium-system
In a recent address at the inaugural Loksatta Annual Lecture in Mumbai, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud addressed concerns over the judiciary’s workload and defended the commitment of judges. Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that judges are not “gallivanting” during vacations but remain highly dedicated to their roles, often lacking sufficient time for in-depth study and contemplation of law due to their demanding schedules. He noted that judges are expected to dispose of cases rapidly, almost mechanically, while handling growing complexity in their roles as they ascend through the judiciary.
“Our judges are deeply committed and don’t have the luxury of idle time, even during vacations,” he remarked, as reported by PTI. The Chief Justice highlighted that the orders judges issue have lasting impacts on the nation, yet their time for reflection is minimal.
Chief Justice Chandrachud also addressed the backlog in the judicial system, acknowledging the massive case pendency across lower courts, high courts, and the Supreme Court, which he attributed to a shortage of judges and infrastructural limitations.
Turning to the collegium system, Chief Justice Chandrachud commented that although every institution can be enhanced, this shouldn’t imply fundamental flaws within the system. He explained that the collegium system functions as a federal process, involving the Centre, state governments, and the judiciary in a consultative dialogue where consensus emerges, though disagreements can also arise. “We must appreciate that this reflects the resilience and strength of our system,” he noted.
Discussing candidate selection within the collegium system, he emphasized that objections or issues are handled with “a great deal of maturity.” While recognizing the potential for institutional improvements, he cautioned against assuming foundational problems, stating that the judiciary, part of India’s democratic framework, has “stood the test of time” for over 75 years and deserves public trust.
