CJI Sanjiv Khanna Prioritizes Clearing Case Backlogs, Affordable Justice
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on Monday, laid out a progressive vision for the judiciary, focusing on reducing case backlogs, making litigation affordable, shortening trial durations, and simplifying legal procedures. Justice Khanna, who will serve until May 2025, underscored the judiciary’s critical role in governance and its duty to protect citizens’ rights.
Upholding the Constitution and Equal Justice
Reflecting on his responsibilities, Justice Khanna highlighted the judiciary’s role as a guardian of the Constitution and a protector of fundamental rights. “The judiciary is an integral, yet distinct and independent part of the governance system,” he stated, emphasizing the need for fairness and equal access to justice, free from discrimination based on status, wealth, or power.
He added that a key focus would be to ensure “a just and unbiased adjudication” and uphold the judiciary’s constitutional duty to provide accessible justice to all citizens.
Addressing Backlogs and Promoting Accessible Justice
Justice Khanna identified case backlogs as a pressing issue, along with the need to make legal proceedings affordable and accessible. To address these, he aims to implement measures that simplify complex legal procedures, making courts more user-friendly and responsive to the public’s needs.
Vision for a Transparent, Responsive Judiciary
The Chief Justice also expressed a commitment to making judicial processes more approachable by adopting a responsive, self-evaluative approach open to feedback. He emphasized the importance of making judgments comprehensible for ordinary citizens and promoting mediation as a means to resolve disputes effectively.
Justice Khanna’s initiatives reflect his commitment to a justice system that prioritizes efficiency, accessibility, and public trust, with the ultimate goal of delivering timely and equitable justice.
