Following an upheaval in the judiciary after four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court expressed their concerns over allocation of cases by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, the country’s apex court resumed business on Monday, 15 January.
- Four senior judges of the Supreme Court held a press conference on Friday, 12 January, urging that the independence of the judiciary be preserved
- The SCBA President met the CJI on Sunday to reach an understanding on the issues raised through the press conference
- The apex court resumed business as usual on Monday, 15 January
Indira Jaising Moves SC for Live Streaming
Senior Advocate Indira Jaising on Thursday, 18 January, moved the apex court demanding live streaming of important court proceedings. According to Live Law, Jaising in her petition told the court that doing so will “negate the chances of any misreporting, errors or second-hand information.”
Form Panel to Assign Cases, Dissenting Judges Tell CJI
The four dissenting judges, who met CJI Misra on Thursday, reportedly suggested that a panel be formed to assign cases in the apex court. According to the Hindustan Times, the judges suggested that a committee be formed by senior judges in order to oversee the assignment sensitive and important cases.
However, it was reported that talks on this issue remained inconclusive as the CJI refused to heed by the suggestion as he felt that the panel would dilute his power as master of the roster.
CJI Meets Four Senior-most Supreme Court Judges
Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Thursday held a meeting with four senior-most Supreme Court judges to resolve issues raised by them during a press conference on 12 January.
The meeting between the CJI and four judges – Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph – lasted for around 10-15 minutes before resumption of court proceedings at 10:30 am, court sources said.
They said that no other judge was present at the meeting. On Wednesday, the meeting could not take place as Justice Chelameswar was indisposed.
Justice Chelameswar on Leave
Justice J Chelameswar, one of the four Supreme Court judges who had openly castigated the functioning of the top court headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, is on leave today as he is unwell, sources said.
It is confirmed that Justice Chelameswar will not hold the court today, said the sources.
It was expected that the CJI would have a morning meeting with all the four senior-most judges after he had a 15 minute deliberations with them on Tuesday.
Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph and Justice Chelameswar had met on Tuesday evening at Justice Chelameswar's residence.
Two other judges, Justices U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud, had also visited the residence of Justice Chelameswar late in the evening, the sources said.