CJI Surya Kant calls for stronger judicial infrastructure, more district court judges

Surya Kant stressed the need to strengthen judicial infrastructure, increase judicial appointments and speed up recruitment in district courts to ensure timely justice. He also said artificial intelligence would be adopted in the judiciary through a regulated framework

Chandigarh: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday emphasised the need to strengthen judicial infrastructure and appoint more judicial officers in district courts to ensure timely delivery of justice. During a gathering after inaugurating a multilevel parking facility at the district courts complex, he urged the governments of Punjab and Haryana to make necessary decisions to update and develop the infrastructure at both sub-divisional and district courts.

Present at the event were Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Supreme Court judges Justice AG Masih and Justice Sheel Nagu. CJI Kant pointed out that in Punjab and Haryana, the number of bars at the sub-divisional level is gradually increasing, which means the demand for judicial officers is also on the rise.

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“You may have noticed that even with annual recruitment, we are unable to fill all the posts. One major reason for that is, if we appoint judicial officers, do we have the judicial infrastructure available for them? If there are no courtrooms, what will be the use of appointing a judicial officer?” he asked.

He mentioned the notable increase in newly filed cases over the past few years. “Let me give you the example of the Supreme Court. In 2024, nearly 75,000 cases were filed there. In 2025, that number rose to around 80,000-83,000. This year, we feel that the number will cross one lakh. Keeping this in view, I requested the central government, which increased it (sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges) from 34 to 38,” he said.

Kant also expressed the necessity of increasing posts in the district judiciary, expediting the recruitment process, and enhancing judicial infrastructure to deliver justice within a timeline. He noted that there is a prevailing narrative about a backlog of cases in the country, which the judiciary must address effectively.

He clarified that he does not accept the claim that the pending cases amount to one crore. According to him, when a case is filed, it is counted immediately, but it cannot be resolved on the same day due to procedural requirements and natural justice considerations.

Steps must be taken, such as issuing notices, completing pleadings, framing issues in civil suits, and allowing both parties to present evidence before a decision can be made, he said.

“As far as the procedural requirement is concerned, I do not count that case in arrears. There may be pendency, but pendency is for a good reason because the procedure provided in the law is being followed in that case,” the CJI said.

Even with such considerations, he acknowledged that the courts are overburdened and that additional officers in district courts, along with a robust infrastructure, are essential.

Later, speaking to reporters, CJI Kant mentioned that artificial intelligence (AI) in the judiciary would be implemented through regulatory measures.

“You can visit the Supreme Court’s website, where I have uploaded the AI regulations. You will understand how we are using AI, and how we will expand its use further. But in a regulatory manner,” he said. He asserted that the Indian judiciary is a leader in the use of technology, stating that it makes optimum use of technological advancements compared to judicial systems in other countries.