The Supreme Court of India has released a new roster, effective from July 13, reflecting Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s initiative to create specialized Division Benches. These benches will exclusively focus on the oldest pending civil and criminal cases, streamlining the court’s docket by categorizing cases based on their nature and urgency.
Focused Approach to Old Cases
In a move to expedite the judicial process for long-standing cases, the court has designated four Division Benches to address these matters specifically. Justice PK Mishra and Justice SVN Bhatti will lead the benches dedicated to the oldest civil cases, while Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan will handle the oldest criminal cases. These cases will be heard on non-miscellaneous days, specifically Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, ensuring a concentrated effort to resolve them.
Allocation of Fresh Cases
In addition to addressing pending cases, the Supreme Court’s new roster also delineates how fresh cases will be distributed among the benches. Eighteen subject-specific rosters have been established, with cases being assigned from the CJI to Justice Augustine George Masih. This allocation aims to enhance efficiency in case management and ensure specialized attention to various legal issues.
CJI’s Specific Jurisdiction
The CJI, Surya Kant, will retain jurisdiction over matters related to the appointment of constitutional functionaries and cases involving references under Article 143 and Article 317(1) of the Constitution. Such cases pertain to inquiries conducted by the Supreme Court regarding the removal of chairpersons or members of tribunals, commissions, or authorities.
Arbitration and Capital Punishment
The CJI’s roster includes the entire arbitration category, while other judges, including Justices BV Nagarathna, PS Narasimha, JB Pardiwala, Sanjay Kumar, Aravind Kumar, and K V Viswanathan, have been assigned specific arbitration codes ranging from 302 to 306. Matters involving capital punishment, where a death sentence is imposed, will be heard exclusively by the CJI and Justices Vikram Nath, BV Nagarathna, and MM Sundresh.
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Public Interest Litigations and Special Cases
Public Interest Litigations (PILs) related to all subject categories will be assigned to the CJI and the four senior puisne judges: Justices Vikram Nath, Nagarathna, Sundresh, and Narasimha. Additionally, habeas corpus and preventive detention cases will be addressed by these senior judges, ensuring that sensitive cases receive the necessary scrutiny and attention.
As highlighted in a recent interview, CJI Surya Kant emphasized the excellent teamwork among the Supreme Court judges, which is vital for the successful implementation of this new roster system.
