Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the cabinet-approved amendment to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court will boost judicial speed, provide relief to remote and poor petitioners and increase resolution of constitutional matters.
His remarks came after the Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the current 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India, PTI reported.
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In an interview with X, Shah said, “In an effort to further streamline the judicial process in the country, the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved an amendment bill to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court.”
He further said, “Under this, the number of judges in the Supreme Court will be increased from 33 to 37. This will promote speed of justice, provide relief to poor and remote petitioners and speed up resolution of constitutional matters.”
Earlier today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that a bill to increase the strength of the Supreme Court by four judges will be introduced in the next session of Parliament. Briefing reporters about the cabinet’s decisions, Vaishnaw said the increase in the number of judges will enable the Supreme Court to function more effectively and efficiently and ensure speedy justice.
The Supreme Court approved the force
The approved strength of the apex court is the CJI and 33 judges, with two vacancies at present. The strength of the Supreme Court was last revised in 2019 when it was increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI).
Once the law is passed by Parliament and approved, the number of sanctions in the Supreme Court will increase by four.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, as originally enacted, fixed the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10. This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1960 and to 17 by another amendment to the Act.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986 increased the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI. Subsequently, a fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the number of supreme judges from 25 to 30.
The power of the Supreme Court is increased on the recommendation of the CJI, who writes to the Union Law Minister. After consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice in the Ministry of Law submits a draft law to the Cabinet.
Article 124, paragraph 3 of the Constitution establishes the prerequisites for becoming a judge of the Supreme Court.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a judge of the Supreme Court for at least five years or as an advocate for 10 years or is a recognized lawyer can be appointed to the high court.
The power of the Supreme Court is increased on the recommendation of the CJI, who writes to the Union Law Minister. After consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice in the Ministry of Law submits a draft law to the Cabinet.
