Supreme Court to disallow oral mentioning for urgent hearing of cases after CJI Khanna takes over

CJI Sanjiv Khanna emphasizes written submissions for urgent cases, outlines citizen-centric judicial reforms for equal access to justice.

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday (November 12, 2024) said no oral submissions for urgent listing and hearing of cases will be permitted and urged lawyers to either send emails or written letters for it.

Usually lawyers mention their cases before the CJI-led bench at the outset of the day's proceedings for out of turn listings and hearing of cases on grounds of urgency.

“No written or oral mentionings anymore. Only in email or written slip/letters. Just state the reasons for urgency,” the CJI said.

The CJI has outlined a citizen-centric agenda for judicial reforms and said ensuring easy access to justice and equal treatment to citizens regardless of their status is the constitutional duty of the judiciary.

Justice Khanna, who was sworn in as the 51st CJI by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, expressed deep honour in leading the judiciary, the third pillar of democracy.

"Judiciary is an integral, yet distinct and independent part of the governance system. The Constitution trusts upon us the role of constitutional guardian, protector of fundamental rights, and responsibility to fulfil the important task of being a service provider of justice," the CJI had said in his first statement on Monday.

Watch: All about Justice Sanjiv Khanna, new Chief Justice of India