The Supreme Court today confirmed the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the master of the roaster. The bench clearly stated the CJI has the authority to allocate cases to separate benches of the Court.
The two judges on the bench A. K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan independently made the same verdict. They stated the CJI’s role is “first among equals and is empowered to exercise leadership in administration of Court.” This includes the allotment of cases to individual benches in the Apex Court.
Justice Sikri clearly stated, “As far as the role of CJI as master of the roster is concerned, there is no dispute that he is the master of roster and has authority to allocate cases to different benches of the Supreme Court.”
This comes after former law minister Shanti Bhushan challenged the present roaster practice by the CJI. This is not the first time someone is questioning the assignment of cases.
Earlier this year, the top most judges under the CJI held an unprecedented press conference. This was the first time in India’s history that the Supreme Court Judges asked the nation to decide the impeachment of CJI Dipak Misra.
The four judges stated the issue was the allotment of cases, according to them CJI Misra assigned high profile cases to judges lower than the top five judges in the Supreme Court. They further stated there was an urgency to protect democracy as the highest Institute in the Country was compromised.
Also Read: CJI Misra Meets The Four Rebelling Supreme Court Judges
