Supreme Court Justice Questions Karnataka's 'Peanuts' Spending on Judicial Infrastructure
In a sharp critique, Supreme Court Justice Arvind Kumar on Saturday questioned the Karnataka government over its low spending on judicial infrastructure, stating that allocations over the past three financial years were "peanuts" compared to the revenue generated by the courts.
Direct Address to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Speaking at the 22nd Biennial State-Level Conference of Judicial Officers in Bengaluru, Justice Kumar directly addressed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was present on stage. He briefly switched from English to Kannada to emphasize his point, highlighting the stark disparity between court collections and government funding.
"By way of fine, duty penalty, what the courts have collected for the last three years is Rs 376 crore, Rs 439 crore, and Rs 470 crore respectively. Other than the salary, what has been given by the state government is Rs 1.03 crore, Rs 40 lakh, and around Rs 1.3 lakh in the last three years. That means it's peanuts," Justice Kumar stated.
Call for Increased Allocation to Judicial Infrastructure
Justice Kumar urged the state government to allocate at least 75% to 80% of the revenue collected by courts specifically for judicial infrastructure development. He emphasized that such investment is crucial to address the growing demands on the judicial system.
Rising Litigation Burden and Staff Shortages
The justice also highlighted the increasing burden on courts, noting that litigation has surged from 17 lakh cases in 2023 to 22 lakh cases in 2025. This rise underscores the urgent need for better infrastructure and resources.
Pointing to severe staff shortages, Justice Kumar revealed that against a request for 666 posts for the Karnataka High Court's three benches, only 230 were sanctioned. In the district judiciary, 680 requested posts were reduced to 400, further straining the system.
Caution Against Centralized Approaches
In his remarks, Justice Kumar cautioned against adopting centralized approaches from Delhi, stating: "Delhi is important but it is not the measure of India. What may appear efficient in Delhi may when mechanically transported elsewhere prove unsettling, alien, and even counterproductive. Karnataka does not need borrowed habits of authority."
Conference Held in Presence of Chief Justice of India
The conference was attended by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, adding weight to the discussions on judicial reforms and infrastructure needs. The event brought together judicial officers to address key challenges facing the state's legal system.
Justice Kumar's comments have sparked a debate on the adequacy of funding for judicial infrastructure in Karnataka, with calls for immediate action to bridge the gap between court revenue and government spending.
