Come August 16, the Supreme Court will release a handbook on combating gender stereotypes in judicial decision-making.
This announcement was made by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud today, while hoisting the Tricolour at the sprawling Supreme Court lawns on the 77th Independence Day.
Speaking on the occasion, the CJI said that he was mulling over the subject for quite some time.
He further said that there was a proposal for providing 600 additional parking spaces for lawyers.
Terming it as a ‘mission in progress,’ the CJI said that the plan was being looked into by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).
Regarding the need for lawyers’ chambers, he said that it was uppermost in his mind. He said there were things which he could do on his own, but some things required engagement with the government.
CJI Chandrachud assured that he would use his good offices to find a solution for the same.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today applauded the Supreme Court for making court judgments available to the teeming millions in their own language.
In his Independence Day speech from the rampants of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister thanked the CJI, who was among the dignitaries attending the event, for making the judgements available in regional languages.
Taking the praise in his stride with folded hands, the CJI said that till now, 9,423 verdicts have been translated in regional languages, while more than 8000 judgements have been translated in Hindi.
The CJI said that his aim was to translate all 35,000 judgements in all Indian languages, adding that this would also facilitate the use of regional language in courts.
Noting that they have cured the evil of standing in long queues by launching Suswagatam, CJI Chandrachud said the defibrators were now available in courts to provide immediate cardiac support.
Talking about the caseload, he said in March, 4,527 cases were filed, 22,000 were listed and 4,800 were disposed off. Filing in April was 4716, while disposal was 4,700. In May, 4986 cases were filed and 3984 were disposed of. In July, 5044 cases were filed, out of which, 6362 were disposed of.
The CJI said that during March to June, 2023, almost 19,000 cases were disposed of. This could not have been possible without the efforts from each of his colleagues, noted the CJI, adding that none of the judges complained when he passed on a supplementary with five additional cases.
The CJI said that recently, the Supreme Court released the sensitisation model for the judiciary.
The Independence Day function was organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at the Apex Court lawns, to celebrate the 77th Independence Day.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal mentioned Section 35 of the Magna Carta, saying that it talked about how in the future there would be a conflict between the rule of law and the rule of man.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that discussions have been held on the issues of e-library and the Advocates Protection Act. He further said that he found merit in the issues with the Supreme Court.
Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani said that whenever law and justice met in a happy union, the progeny was bound to be strong. This progeny would make the march of law stronger, reaching the last man standing, he added.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, along with Supreme Court judges- Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, graced the occasion.
SCBA President Adish C. Aggarwala, its Vice President and Senior Advocate Sukumar Pattjoshi, along with members of the bar and the bench, attended the event.