Chief Justice Chandrachud Concerned Over Delayed Judgments

Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, expressed serious concerns on April 8 regarding the prolonged reservation of judgments by High Court judges. He highlighted the detrimental impact of such delays on judicial efficacy and the principle of speedy justice. Justice Chandrachud emphasized the urgency of implementing an effective standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure timely resolution of cases and uphold the judiciary's integrity.

In his address, Justice Chandrachud recounted his proactive step of reaching out to High Court Chief Justices to gather information on cases with judgments reserved for over three months. He underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in the judiciary's functioning, urging for prompt action to address the issue of prolonged case pendency.

The Chief Justice lamented instances where judgments had been reserved for over 10 months without any resolution, noting the adverse implications of such delays. He highlighted the inconvenience caused to parties and the necessity for re-engagement of legal counsel when cases are released after extended periods. Moreover, he expressed concern over the compromise in the quality of judgments, as the freshness of oral arguments fades from the judicial memory over time.

Justice Chandrachud's remarks underscored the urgent need for procedural reforms to streamline judgment delivery and ensure timely resolution of cases. He emphasized that the judiciary's time is wasted when matters remain pending for prolonged periods, and decisions are based solely on written records rather than the nuances of oral arguments.