Supreme Court CJI rules out limited shut down of the court

On February 15, 2020, the Chief Justice of India Bobde announced that total shutdown of Supreme Court and other courts are not possible. The SC on the other hand is to launch virtual courts. The SC Court commences on March 16, 2020 after Holi holidays

Legislation

Article 145 of the Constitution empowers Supreme Court to make its own rules in order to regulate procedure and practices of the court. The holidays, leaves and commencing of the Supreme Court are fixed by the court itself under the article.

According to the Article 145, Supreme Court Rules, 1950 were framed. These rules were amended in 1966, 2013 and 2015.

Under the rules, the SC adopted Rooster System

Rooster System

Under the Rooster system, the CJI is the person eligible to hear leave petitions, matters related to social justice, public interest, elections, criminal matters. He has powers to allocate cases to other justices as well. He also empowered to announce holidays for the court.

With these powers, in the wake of Corona Virus, the CJI has limited the operation of the SC.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2020