New Delhi, August 31, 2024 — Kapil Sibal, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, voiced serious concerns regarding the judge population ratio in India during the inaugural event of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary at Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the conference and also unveiled a commemorative stamp and coin marking 75 years since the establishment of the Supreme Court of India.
In his address, Sibal highlighted the “abysmally low” judge population ratio in the country, stressing the burden placed on district and sessions courts. He noted that these lower courts are overwhelmed and need to be empowered to effectively deliver justice.
Sibal emphasized the importance of the judiciary at the district and sessions levels, stating, “Our trial court, district, and sessions courts need to be empowered to deliver justice without fear or fervour. They are not subordinate, as they deliver justice. The judiciary at that level should be instilled with the confidence that their judgments will not be held against them and that they represent the spinal cord of the justice delivery system.”
He also addressed the issue of bail decisions, remarking that it is seldom granted at the district court level and highlighting the resulting burden on higher courts. “Liberty is the foundational substratum of a thriving democracy and any attempt to throttle it impacts the quality of our democracy,” Sibal said, echoing concerns voiced by the Chief Justice of India about the implications of this issue on the justice system.
The Supreme Court’s National Conference of District Judiciary, taking place on August 31 and September 1, features five working sessions. These discussions will focus on critical issues including infrastructure and human resources, inclusive courtrooms, judicial security and wellness, case management, and judicial training.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also attended the event, which aims to address these pressing concerns and improve the functionality and efficiency of India’s district judiciary.
