The Union Cabinet has given its nod to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India from the current 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). This decision aims to address the growing backlog of cases and reduce the pendency in the apex court.
Details of the Decision
The Cabinet approval, which came on Wednesday, paves the way for amending the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The Act currently prescribes a strength of 34 judges, including the CJI. With the amendment, the strength will be raised to 38. The move is expected to expedite the disposal of cases and improve the efficiency of the highest judicial body.
Impact on Pendency
The Supreme Court currently has a pendency of over 70,000 cases. The increase in the number of judges is seen as a crucial step to tackle this backlog. The additional judges will help in constitution of more benches, thereby increasing the court's capacity to hear and decide cases promptly.
Background
The proposal to increase the strength of judges was first mooted by the Supreme Court itself. The court had written to the government seeking an increase in the number of judges to manage the rising caseload. The Law Ministry had been working on the proposal, which has now received the Cabinet's approval.
Reactions
Legal experts have welcomed the decision, stating that it will go a long way in strengthening the judiciary. However, some have also stressed the need for infrastructure improvements and appointment of competent judges to ensure that the increased strength translates into effective justice delivery.
Next Steps
With the Cabinet nod, the government will now introduce a bill in Parliament to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act. Once passed, the appointment process for the additional judges will begin. The government has assured that the appointments will be made in a time-bound manner.
This development comes as part of broader judicial reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the Indian judiciary.
