Justice Surya Kant Prioritizes Case Backlog and Mediation

Justice Surya Kant has identified addressing the substantial backlog of nearly 90,000 pending cases as one of his primary responsibilities when he takes office as the 53rd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on November 24, 2023. He emphasized that this backlog has hindered lower courts from progressing on numerous associated cases, significantly impacting the judicial system.

In a recent interview, Justice Kant outlined his commitment to optimizing court operations across the country. “One of my foremost challenges is the arrears in the Supreme Court. Today’s scoreboard shows nearly 90,000 cases pending,” he stated. His approach includes actively identifying and structuring benches to address these cases, particularly the oldest matters, which he believes require immediate attention.

Advocating for Mediation and Efficient Practices

Justice Kant also highlighted the importance of mediation as a vital tool for resolving disputes. He pointed out that by encouraging government agencies to engage in mediation, the judicial system could find efficient solutions to many pending matters. “We must identify a solution, and one of the easiest solutions, which can be a game changer, is mediation,” he said.

He expressed the need to restore healthy practices of approaching lower courts first, which can help alleviate the burden on the Supreme Court. “I will find those matters, ensure benches are constituted, and have them decided,” he assured. His vision for the judiciary is one where consistency, discipline, and efficiency are paramount, recognizing that courts function as collective bodies rather than isolated judges.

From Humble Beginnings to the Supreme Court

Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar, a village in Hisar, Justice Kant’s journey to the highest levels of the judiciary reflects his dedication and commitment to justice. He completed his LLB from Maharshi Dayanand University in 1984, followed by an LLM from Kurukshetra University in 2011, where he graduated with first class honors while serving as a high court judge.

Justice Kant began his legal career in Hisar before moving to Chandigarh, where he built a reputable practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, focusing on constitutional, service, and civil law. Notably, he became the youngest advocate general of Haryana at the age of 38 in July 2000 and was designated a senior advocate the following year. His elevation to the bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court occurred in January 2004, and he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018.

Throughout his career, Justice Kant has authored over 300 judgments across various fields, including constitutional, criminal, and administrative law. He has participated in several landmark cases, such as the Article 370 abrogation case and the verdict regarding the Section 6A Citizenship Act.

Currently, Justice Kant serves as the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), where he recently launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025. This initiative aims to provide free legal assistance to soldiers, veterans, and their families, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing access to justice for all.

As Justice Kant prepares to take on the role of Chief Justice, he remains focused on cultivating a judicial environment that values the human side of judging while maintaining a rigorous adherence to the law. He believes that while judges should not become social reformers, they can still influence progress by interpreting the law in ways that align with constitutional values and promote human welfare.