“Justice Must Be Accessible to All, Regardless of Status,” CJI Khanna

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Nov. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has introduced a significant shift in court procedures, eliminating oral requests for urgent case listings and hearings.

In a directive issued on Tuesday, CJI Khanna announced that lawyers must now submit such requests exclusively via email or written letters, detailing the reasons for urgency.

“Only emails or written slips will be accepted for urgent mentions. State the reasons for urgency clearly,” CJI Khanna emphasized, moving away from the routine practice where lawyers verbally mentioned cases for urgent hearings before the CJI-led bench.

This procedural change aligns with Justice Khanna’s broader vision of a citizen-centric judiciary. Since being sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu, Justice Khanna has underscored the judiciary’s duty to ensure fair and accessible justice, advocating for equality regardless of status or wealth.

“The judiciary plays a unique role as the constitutional guardian, protector of fundamental rights, and provider of justice,” CJI Khanna stated in his inaugural remarks. He emphasized the judiciary’s core principles of fairness, unbiased adjudication, and citizen-focused services, reiterating that all citizens must have equitable access to justice.

Addressing ongoing challenges, CJI Khanna outlined plans to reduce case backlogs, simplify legal processes, and enhance affordability of litigation. He noted that a responsive, feedback-driven judiciary is essential to a just society, and pledged to make judicial language clearer and judgments more comprehensible to the public.

The Supreme Court’s statement highlighted the CJI’s goal to streamline criminal case management, reduce trial durations, and adopt a user-friendly approach for citizens engaging with the legal system. The Chief Justice also promoted mediation as a preferred method for efficient dispute resolution, emphasizing its role in delivering timely justice.

Through these reforms, Justice Khanna aims to uphold the judiciary’s constitutional duty as a bastion of citizen rights and a resolute dispute resolver.