Aastha Pareek
On November 16 2024, the Supreme Court of India, under the leadership of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, has implemented a significant procedural reform aimed at reducing case pendency. According to a circular issued on 16th November, Saturday, regular matters requiring extensive hearings will no longer be scheduled on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Instead, these days, along with Tuesdays, will be designated for miscellaneous matters such as transfer petitions and bail hearings. The Circular emphasized:
“Henceforth, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, after notice miscellaneous matters, including Transfer Petitions and Bail Matters, shall be listed, and no regular hearing matters shall be heard on these days until further orders.”
Additionally, special bench matters and part-heard cases whether miscellaneous or regular are to be listed post-lunch or as directed by the competent authority on these specified days.
This arrangement is intended to address the overwhelming pendency of cases at the Apex Court, which currently stands at 83,410. The reform marks the first major step taken by CJI Sanjiv Khanna since his assumption of office as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024.
The initiative underscores the judiciary’s commitment to streamlining case management and expediting the disposal of pending matters. This directive will remain in force until further notice.