Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday said that no matter is too small or too big for the Supreme Court.
The tussle between the central government and the Supreme Court over the delay in the appointment of judges is coming to an end. Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has on several occasions criticized the judiciary on various issues.
Recently, Rijiju said in Parliament that the Supreme Court should not hear bail pleas and frivolous PILs amid the growing pendency of cases. Indirectly taking a dig at this statement, the Supreme Court said that it is the duty of the apex court to intervene in cases of violation of personal liberty, and judges burn midnight oil for this.
While acquitting a man who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for theft of electricity in 9 separate cases, a bench headed by Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said, “No case is too small for the Supreme Court and No issue is too big because we have to answer the call of conscience and the call of freedom of our citizens that’s why we are here and this is not a single issue, when you sit here and burn oil at midnight You find out that every day is another like this.”
It is the duty of the apex court to intervene in cases of violation of personal liberty. Releasing the petitioner, the court said in its order, “The right to personal liberty is an inalienable right. In addressing such grievances, the Supreme Court does its duty, neither more nor less.”
The Union Law Minister had also said in the Rajya Sabha that there is a feeling among people that long court holidays are not very convenient for justice seekers. In response to this, in the courtroom full of lawyers, the Chief Justice said on Friday that “no bench will be available from tomorrow till January 1”.
Friday is the last working day for the Supreme Court and will reopen on January 2, 2023, after a two-week winter break.
(With inputs from IANS)
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