CJI rejects suggestion for four zonal benches

In a recent report, the Commission had suggested that besides zonal benches at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai or Hyderabad, there should be a permanent Constitutional Bench in the national capital.

Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan on Sunday rejected the Law Commission’s recommendation for creation of four zonal benches of the Supreme Court to deal with the mounting arrears and make available justice to litigants at the nearest place possible.

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“It will undermine the institutional integrity of the Supreme Court. We can not split the Supreme Court,” the CJI told HT on the sidelines of joint conference of Chief ministers and chief justices.

He, however, said, “We can think of creating some appellate authority but splitting the Supreme Court is not possible.”

In a recent report, the Commission had suggested that besides zonal benches at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai or Hyderabad, there should be a permanent Constitutional Bench in the national capital.

Earlier, talking to reporters, the CJI said the chief justices have been requested to add 10 more working days to their calendar but it was for the CJs concerned to implement it.