CJI Thakur Rues Shortage of Judges, Pendency in Farewell Speech

CJI T S Thakur said the country’s progress is linked with the judiciary’s ability to deal with challenges.

Outgoing Chief Justice of India Justice TS Thakur is presented a shawl as CJI-designate Justice JS Khehar (right) looks on. (Photo: PTI)

Outgoing Chief Justice of India T S Thakur expressed concern over the lack of judges amid the growing number of pending cases on Tuesday, his last day in office.

He asked the judiciary to be ready for future challenges to ensure that the nation remains an "inclusive society".

Justice Thakur, who served at the 43rd CJI for almost a year, dealt with a range of issues in his farewell address in the apex court premises. He said there are as many as three crore cases pending cases in courts across the country and the issue has to be tackled efficiently given the paucity of judges.

The present has great challenges. We have three crore cases. We have problems of infrastructure. We have problems of judge strength being low... But please remember, we will have greater challenges in the future and that is what we have to be prepared for.

Speaking about emerging areas of litigations, the CJI said, "You will have very, very serious issues coming up in times not very far from now. You will have issues regarding cyber laws, medico-legal cases, genetics and privacy etc. You will have issues of making India an inclusive society."

He underlined the resurgence of India as an economic power, but said the nation cannot progress "unless judiciary also gets ready to handle the challenges that development and progress bring with them".

Addressing the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), he said there should not be a race among lawyers for the post of a judge or a senior counsel while suggesting that these designations should come "uninvited".

We have seen the race for becoming a judge, efforts to become a judge and very recently, the race for becoming a senior advocate. I have always felt that these distinctions should come to you uninvited. You must not invite them, you must not ask for them. You must be considered deserving and suitable for such a distinction.