Chief Justice Breaks Down Speaking of Urgent Need for More Judges

TS Thakur got teary talking about the need to almost double judges’ numbers to handle the “avalanche” of cases.

TS Thakur, Chief Justice of India breaks down at the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts in Delhi. (Photo: ANI)

An emotional Chief Justice of India TS Thakur broke down during his speech at the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts in Delhi.

He lamented the “inaction” by the Executive to increase the number of judges from the present 21,000 to 40,000, to handle the “avalanche” of litigations even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of his government’s resolve in finding a solution jointly with the judiciary.

...And therefore, it is not only in the name of a litigant or people languishing in jails but also in the name of development of the country, its progress, that I beseech you to rise to the occasion and realise that it is not enough to criticise. You cannot shift the entire burden on the judiciary.

<b>T S Thakur, Chief Justice of India</b>

Chief Justice TS Thakur (Photo: ANI) 

Addressing the inaugural session, Justice Thakur said that since 1987, when the Law Commission had recommended increase in the number of judges from then 10 judges per 10 lakh people to 50, “nothing has moved”.

Then comes inaction by the government as the increase (in the strength of judges) does not take place.

<b>TS Thakur, Chief Justice of India</b>

He said that following the Law Commission’s recommendation, the Supreme Court in 2002 had also supported increasing the strength of the judiciary.

A Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committee on Law then headed by Pranab Mukherjee had also recommended taking the judge to people ratio to 50 from 10.

In 1987, the requirement was 40,000 judges. From 1987 till now, we have added 25 crore in terms of population. We have grown into one of the fastest growing economies of the world, we are inviting foreign direct investment into the country...Those whom we are inviting are also concerned about the ability of the judicial system in the country to deal with cases and disputes that arise out of such investments. Efficacy of the judicial system is so vitally connected with the development.

<b>T S Thakur, Chief Justice of India</b>

Modi, who was not slated to speak as per the schedule of the programme circulated by the Law Ministry, said if constitutional barriers do not create any problems, then top ministers and senior Supreme Court judges can sit together in a closed room to find a solution to the issue.

I can understand his pain as a lot of time has lapsed since 1987...whatever has been the compulsions...but its better to be late than never. We will do better in the future. Let us see how to move forward by reducing the burden of the past.

Justice Thakur said from a munsif to a Supreme Court judge, the average disposal in India is 2,600 cases per annum as compared to 81 cases per annum in the United States.

He also asked the state Chief Ministers present at the event to increase the cadre strength of the lower judiciary.

(With inputs from PTI.)