Summer Break Over: Supreme Court Gears Up for Action-Packed Week of Judgments and Hearings

As the summer break comes to an end, the Supreme Court of India is set to reopen its doors to an exciting week of judgments and hearings. The court will resume its regular operations today, with a packed schedule of crucial verdicts and hearings lined up. This week, the top court will deliver judgments on significant cases, including those related to the Delhi excise policy, the misuse of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and a contempt case against yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

The Supreme Court had closed for its summer vacation on May 17, and during this period, judges worked tirelessly to prepare judgments on various cases. These cases involve important issues that impact the country’s political, social, and economic landscape. Some of the key judgments expected this week include the validity of citizenship rights for illegal migrants from Bangladesh, the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, and the sub-classification of scheduled castes and tribes for reservation.

On Monday, the court will hear 19 judgments, with several constitution benches concluding hearings earlier this year. The court will also hear a key case related to the NEET-UG examination, where the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have been asked to explain allegations of paper leaks, malpractices, and the award of grace marks. The court will also review petitions against its decision refusing to allow same-sex marriages.

The Supreme Court will also hear two contempt petitions against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for felling trees in the Delhi ridge area without prior permission. Additionally, the court will decide on a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy case and a lawsuit filed by the West Bengal government questioning the Centre over alleged misuse of the CBI.

The court’s summer break was marked by a record 20 benches set up during the nearly two-month break, exhausting the list of cases with the consent of counsel for parties. During the summer break, the SC disposed of 751 cases in 2023 and 1,170 cases in 2024, showing a significant increase in case disposal compared to previous years.

Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has emphasized the rigorous work schedule of SC judges, who handle between 40 and 60 cases daily from 10.30am to 4pm, with additional work required to prepare for the next day’s hearings. Judges work on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays, which are used for research, writing judgments, legal aid camps, and administrative work.

In an event in Prayagraj in February, the CJI addressed criticism surrounding the summer break, saying that people don’t understand that judges work all seven days of the week, including weekends. Justice Chandrachud explained that it is important for Supreme Court judges to take time and reflect on larger constitutional issues posed to them.

Justice BR Gavai also addressed criticism about the top court’s schedule and work hours, highlighting that those in governance who question the judiciary’s efficiency and vacations should first ensure that the Union government’s appeals are filed in a timely manner. Justice Dipankar Datta, presiding over a vacation bench, also turned the spotlight back on the Centre, highlighting that those who question the judiciary’s efficiency should first ensure that the Union government’s appeals are filed in a timely manner.

The Supreme Court’s summer break is an opportunity for judges to introspect, research, and write judgments. The court’s rigorous work schedule and efforts to address pending cases and deliver timely justice are a testament to its commitment to upholding the law and delivering justice to the people of India.

Historical Context:

The Supreme Court of India has been a crucial institution in the country’s judicial system since its establishment in 1950. Over the years, the court has played a significant role in shaping the country’s laws and policies, particularly in areas such as civil liberties, human rights, and social justice. The court’s summer break is a regular feature, allowing judges to take a brief respite from their busy schedules and recharge before the next session.

In recent years, the Supreme Court has been dealing with a significant backlog of cases, which has led to concerns about the court’s efficiency and effectiveness. In 2020, the court introduced a new system of assigning cases to benches, which aimed to reduce the backlog and improve the court’s productivity. The court has also been working to increase its transparency and accountability, with initiatives such as live streaming of hearings and the publication of judgments online.

The current Chief Justice of India, Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, has been a strong advocate for judicial reforms and has taken steps to improve the court’s efficiency and transparency. Under his leadership, the court has been working to reduce the backlog of cases and has introduced measures such as the use of technology to improve the court’s functioning.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The Supreme Court of India is set to reopen its doors after a summer break, with a packed schedule of judgments and hearings lined up. • The court will deliver judgments on significant cases, including those related to the Delhi excise policy, the misuse of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and a contempt case against yoga guru Baba Ramdev. • The court will also hear 19 judgments, including cases related to citizenship rights for illegal migrants from Bangladesh, the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, and the sub-classification of scheduled castes and tribes for reservation. • The court will review petitions against its decision refusing to allow same-sex marriages and hear a key case related to the NEET-UG examination. • The court will also hear contempt petitions against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for felling trees in the Delhi ridge area without prior permission. • The court will decide on a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy case and a lawsuit filed by the West Bengal government questioning the Centre over alleged misuse of the CBI. • The court’s summer break was marked by a record 20 benches set up during the nearly two-month break, exhausting the list of cases with the consent of counsel for parties. • The court disposed of 751 cases in 2023 and 1,170 cases in 2024, showing a significant increase in case disposal compared to previous years. • Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has emphasized the rigorous work schedule of SC judges, who handle between 40 and 60 cases daily from 10.30am to 4pm, with additional work required to prepare for the next day’s hearings. • Judges work on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays, which are used for research, writing judgments, legal aid camps, and administrative work. • The court’s summer break is an opportunity for judges to introspect, research, and write judgments, and the court’s rigorous work schedule and efforts to address pending cases and deliver timely justice are a testament to its commitment to upholding the law and delivering justice to the people of India.