Supreme Court Defends Work Schedule Amid Criticism Over Vacations

The Supreme Court of India has responded to recent criticisms regarding its work hours and vacation schedule, emphasizing the judiciary’s significant workload and dedication. Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chadra Sharma highlighted the ongoing efforts of judges, including working late hours and during vacations.

Key Points from the Court:

• Criticism Addressed: The bench referenced a critical article by Sanjeev Sanyal from the Prime Minister’s economic advisory council, which suggested judicial reforms due to perceived long vacations and short working hours of judges.
• Judiciary’s Effort: Justice Datta pointed out that judges often work beyond court hours, taking work home and putting in effort during vacations.
• Union Government’s Delays: The bench criticized the Union government for not filing appeals within the stipulated time, noting that many petitions are submitted with applications for the condonation of delay.

Support from Legal Community:

• Solicitor General and Senior Counsel’s Views: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju supported the judiciary, noting the extensive workload of judges. Senior counsel and Supreme Court Bar Association President Kapil Sibal emphasized that Indian judges are among the most overworked.

Context of the Debate:

• Judicial Vacations: The issue of judicial vacations has been a point of debate. Critics argue that long vacations contribute to the backlog of cases, while the judiciary contends that these breaks are essential for writing detailed judgments and handling extensive workloads.
• Comparison with Other Countries: The Supreme Court of India sits for about 200 days a year, significantly more than other apex courts such as those in the US and Australia. This workload is compounded by the Indian Supreme Court’s dual role as the highest constitutional court and the last court of appeals.

Efforts for Judicial Efficiency:

• Vacations Utilized for Work: Judges often use vacation time to research and draft judgments, a process necessary for delivering precise justice.
• Ongoing Work During Vacations: During breaks, vacation benches continue to hear urgent matters and fresh appeals. The court registry and staff also remain active, ensuring continuous judicial processes.

Historical and Statistical Perspective:

• Increase in Caseload: Since 1950, the number of cases filed in the Supreme Court has increased dramatically, far outstripping the increase in the number of judges.
• Comparative Workload: In 1950, the court handled 1,215 cases with eight judges, whereas in 2019, 43,613 cases were filed with a sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court’s defense of its work schedule and vacations underscores the extensive efforts of the judiciary to manage a burgeoning caseload while maintaining the quality of justice delivered. The comparison with international courts and the support from the legal community highlight the unique challenges faced by the Indian judiciary.

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