History’s verdict on CJI Ramana’s term will be mixed
While CJI N.V. Ramana deserves all the praise for his contribution to strengthen the judiciary, the exercise of his power as the Master of the Roster led to many cases of national importance lying in abeyance as well as some controversial judgments by the court that impacted the image of the Supreme Court as a people’s court.
Published on: 25 August 2022, 01:15 pm
While CJI N.V. Ramana deserves all the praise for his contribution to strengthen the judiciary, the exercise of his power as the Master of the Roster led to many cases of national importance lying in abeyance as well as some controversial judgments by the court that impacted the image of the Supreme Court as a people's court.
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THE President of India has appointed Justice U.U. Lalit as the next Chief Justice of India ('CJI'). The present CJI, Justice N.V. Ramana, is set to retire tomorrow, marking an end to his eventful 16 months' tenure.
Justice Ramana's tenure has been marked by several highs and lows. His elevation to the CJI office had led to a lot of aspirations and anticipations, some of which he has commendably fulfilled. He has made notable efforts towards filling vacancies in the higher judiciary, from the historic appointment of nine judges in the Supreme Court to continuous appointments in the high courts. He has also advanced the adoption of policies furthering the judicial infrastructure – this includes advocating (ultimately, unsuccessfully, as it turned out) for the establishment of a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India, and his commitment to the e-courts mobile application to provide virtual access to the Supreme Court's proceedings for journalists. His work in the midst of the COVID pandemic has been commendable, and he deserves all the praise for the work done to strengthen the judiciary.