CJI Sanjiv Khanna's Directive: A New Era in Urgent Case Listening

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has abolished oral mentions for urgent cases, requiring them to be submitted via email or written application. This policy, intended to save judicial time, marks a significant shift from past practices, evoking a mixed response from the legal community.

In a notable shift from tradition, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has prohibited oral mentioning of cases for urgent hearings, a decision that has elicited a variety of responses from legal professionals. The previous norm allowed lawyers to request immediate hearings by orally mentioning cases at the start of each day's proceedings.

Under the new directive, only email or written applications are permissible, aligning with measures initially introduced by former CJI D Y Chandrachud. Proponents of the change, such as senior lawyer Siddharth Luthra, believe it will streamline court operations by conserving judicial time, while critics argue it limits the ability to convey the immediacy of certain situations.

Despite mixed opinions on the effectiveness of emailing urgent case details, the Supreme Court's registry continues to assess and place fresh cases before assigned benches based on submitted applications and mentions. This emphasizes the evolving nature of procedural efficiencies in India's highest court.

(With inputs from agencies.)