Terming pendency of cases a “huge challenge”, outgoing Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Friday expressed regret for not being able to pay much attention to issues of listing and posting of matters for hearing in the Supreme Court. The CJI, who is retiring from office on Friday, said there is a need to deploy modern technology and artificial intelligence to find a solution. He was speaking at the farewell function at Court number 1 which for the first time was put on live streaming for public to watch.
Later, in the evening farewell function of the SC Bar Association, Chief Justice of India-designate UU Lalit listed out his three priorities during his upcoming 74-day tenure. He said he will try to bring transparency in the listing process and a system to freely mention the urgent matters besides striving to ensure that one Constitutional Bench functions throughout the year.
“Even though we tried developing some modules, because of the compatibility and security issues, we could not make much progress,” Justice Ramana, who was heading the ceremonial bench, said. He said during the Covid-19 pandemic, the priority was running of the courts and unlike commercial establishments, “we cannot secure the technological tools from the market directly”.
“We have to admit the fact that the pendency is a huge challenge before us. I am sorry that issues of listing and posting of matters is one of the areas on which I could not pay much attention,” the CJI said, adding, “We are busy in fire-fighting on all days”.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave broke into tears while bidding adieu to the CJI, saying he maintained checks and balances between the judiciary, executive and Parliament, and did so “with a spine”. While Dave described Ramana as a citizen’s judge, his colleague and senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the court will remember him for “maintaining balance even in turbulent times”.
“When the sea is calm, the ship will sail. We are going through very turbulent times. It is difficult for the ship to sail. This court will remember you for maintaining balance even in turbulent times. You have ensured that dignity and integrity of this court is maintained. That the Government is called to answer,” Sibal said.
Attorney General KK Venugopal said 224 vacancies in the high court were filled up and over 100 members in the tribunals were appointed during the tenure of Justice Ramana as the CJI. He termed the CJI’s achievements “remarkable”, and said the vacancies were filled up during his tenure and for the first time, the apex court had a full strength of 34 judges. “What is outstanding for the CJI is the persuasion with which he was able to clear appointments and vacancies,” Venugopal said.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, who is also the president of the SCBA, said Justice Ramana’s retirement is a great loss for all. “The prestige of the institution has also been maintained and a clear signal has been given that this court will uphold the Constitution and protect the constitutional rights of the people,” he said.
Hailing from an agriculturist family in Ponnavaram village of Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, Justice Ramana had succeeded S A Bobde on April 24, 2021 with a dire situation of huge unfilled vacancies in the top court and the High Courts staring at the face of the judiciary. Ramana also worked as journalist.
Justice Ramana will be succeeded by Justice UU Lalit as the CJI who will have a tenure of a little more than two months. Justice Lalit’s retirement in November will pave the way for Justice DY Chandrachud to take over as CJI for a bit over two years.