The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the appointment of four new judges to the Supreme Court, a move that will increase the strength of the apex court to 34 judges. This decision comes as part of efforts to address the mounting backlog of cases and enhance the efficiency of the judiciary.
Details of the Approval
The appointments were approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The names of the four new judges were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud. The Collegium had earlier proposed the elevation of four high court chief justices to the Supreme Court.
Names of the Recommended Judges
While the official list is yet to be gazetted, reports suggest that the recommended judges include Chief Justices from the Gujarat High Court, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Rajasthan High Court, and the Calcutta High Court. Their appointments are expected to be formalized soon after the President's assent.
Impact on Case Pendency
The addition of four judges is expected to help clear the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court, which currently has over 80,000 pending cases. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. With these appointments, the court will be operating at its full capacity for the first time in recent months.
Process of Appointment
The appointment of Supreme Court judges follows a rigorous process. The Collegium, comprising the five senior-most judges, recommends names. These recommendations are then sent to the government for approval. Once the Cabinet clears the names, the President issues the warrants of appointment. The entire process typically takes a few weeks.
Reactions and Significance
Legal experts have welcomed the move, stating that a fully staffed Supreme Court will be better equipped to handle the increasing number of cases. The government has emphasized its commitment to judicial reforms and reducing delays in justice delivery. The opposition, however, has raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the appointment process and the need for a more diverse bench.
The appointments are seen as a step towards strengthening the judiciary and ensuring timely justice for citizens. With the new judges, the Supreme Court will have a balanced representation from different regions and legal backgrounds.
