Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has written to the Chief Justices of High Courts to explore the possibility of constituting special benches on Saturdays to hear criminal and jail appeals in which legal aid has been provided.
“This will go a long way in ensuring speedy disposal of criminal appeals/jail appeals,” the Chief Justice of India wrote to the Chief Justices of the High Courts.
Chief Justice Misra pointed out that some of the High Court Chief Justices had already agreed to go ahead with the project from September 9. The High Courts of Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Patna, Jharkhand and Karnataka had constituted special benches to hear these appeals on Saturdays, Supreme Court’s public relations officer Rakesh Sharma said.
“I am sure you will also join them,” Chief Justice Misra told the Chief Justices of the remaining High Courts.
In the letter, Chief Justice Misra reminds the Chief Justices of High Courts that a “large number of criminal and jail apppeals are pending”.
“Delay in disposal of these appeals raises question about the efficacy of the administration of justice as a whole and criminal justice system in particular,” Chief Justice Misra wrote in the letter.
Chief Justice Misra pointed out that the top judiciary has taken several steps in the past to fast-track justice justice delivery system, including judges working during vacations.
“May I therefore impress upon you to explore the possibility of hearing such criminal appeals/jail appeals, in which legal aid counsel has been provided on Saturdays by speciallyconstituted Bench after obtaining the consent of the legal aid counsel and State counsel concerned,” Chief Justice Misra asked the Chief Justices of the High Courts. eom
