Kapil Sibal Raises Alarm Over India’s Critically Low Judge-to-Population Ratio at National Conference
Kapil Sibal Warns of Democracy's Decline if Liberty Is Throttled in Overburdened Courts
New Delhi, 31-08-2024: Kapil Sibal, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, voiced deep concerns about India’s judge-to-population ratio, calling it alarmingly low. Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary at Bharat Mandapam on August 31, Sibal highlighted the immense burden on district and sessions courts, emphasizing the need for empowerment at the grassroots level of the judiciary.
The event, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also marked the release of a commemorative stamp and coin celebrating 75 years of the Supreme Court of India. In his address, Sibal pointed out the severe overburdening of the judicial roster at the district and sessions court level, underscoring the critical need for a stronger and more confident judiciary at the trial court level.
“Our trial courts, district courts, and sessions courts must be empowered to deliver justice without fear or bias. These courts are not subordinate; they are the backbone of the justice delivery system,” Sibal asserted. He stressed that judges at these levels should have the confidence that their decisions won’t be unfairly scrutinized or used against them, reinforcing their crucial role in upholding justice.
Sibal further expressed concern over the infrequent granting of bail at the lower court level, noting that this is a common issue observed even by the Chief Justice of India. He emphasized that the higher courts are overburdened, partly due to the reluctance of lower courts to grant bail, which should not be an exception but a standard practice. “Liberty is the foundational substratum of a thriving democracy, and any attempt to restrict it undermines the quality of our democracy,” Sibal warned.
The National Conference, organized by the Supreme Court of India, will span two days, with discussions and working sessions focused on critical issues facing the district judiciary. These include infrastructure and human resources, creating inclusive courtrooms, judicial security and wellness, effective case management, and judicial training. The event was attended by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, among other dignitaries.
