Pandemic Forced Judiciary To Adopt Modern Methods: Chief Justice Of India

Chief Justice of India said since the pandemic, the district courts in India heard 16.5 million cases, the high courts 7.58 million cases, and the Supreme Court heard 3,79,954 cases through video conference.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on Friday the COVID-19 pandemic forced the judicial system to adopt modern methods to impart justice and the goal now must be to evolve judicial institutions and not wait for another pandemic to take active decisions.

Speaking at the 18th meeting of the chief justices of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the steps taken by the Indian judiciary with the onset of the pandemic.

He said since the pandemic, the district courts in India heard 16.5 million cases, the high courts 7.58 million cases, and the Supreme Court heard 3,79,954 cases through video conference.

"In conclusion, the pandemic forced the judicial system to adopt modern methods to impart justice. But our goal must lie in evolving our judicial institutions as a matter of principle, and not wait for another pandemic to take active decisions," the CJI said at a joint interactive session.