Infrastructure to judiciary: Supreme Court raps govt

The Supreme Court has criticised the government for not providing proper work infrastructure to the judiciary. The court’s views support what the law commission had said two years ago.

The court was at the first sitting on Monday of a special bench set up by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SH Kapadia to hear long-pending petitions on matters relating to the subordinate judiciary,

“Prima facie, it appears there is a lackadaisical approach on the part of the authorities in implementing the centrally-sponsored scheme and appropriating funds in a proper manner,” said a report prepared by the CJI that was presented in court.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising CJI Kapadia and justices Aftab Alam and KS Radhakrishnan, perused the report and sought the response of all state governments, Union Territories and high courts.

The report pointed out the poor conditions in which lower courts function. It also said that states are “duty bound” to provide all facilities for setting up well-equipped courts. The report also regretted that the roadmap for providing infrastructure has not reached its logical end as many courts are still functioning in rented premises with insufficient space and “in dilapidated structures sans basic minimal amenities”.