Supreme Court and High Courts should work as complementary forums: CJI

Chief Justice Surya Kant on Sunday rejected the notion that India's apex court and High Courts operate as rival forums for seeking justice, underscoring the need to bolster public trust in High Courts as the first port of call for constitutional grievances.

Addressing the ongoing debate over jurisdiction and case distribution across India's judicial hierarchy, the CJI stressed that both tiers of the judiciary should function as complementary institutions rather than competing entities. The remarks come as courts nationwide grapple with mounting case backlogs and the challenge of managing judicial resources effectively.

The CJI's statement reflects efforts within the judiciary to reinforce the High Courts' role as constitutionally mandated forums for addressing fundamental rights violations and constitutional questions at the regional level. Legal experts note that strengthening confidence in High Courts could help reduce the burden on the Supreme Court, which currently handles appeals from across the country.

The issue of case distribution and public perception of different courts has long been a concern for the Indian judicial system. By clarifying that the Supreme Court and High Courts operate within a structured hierarchy rather than in competition, the CJI aims to encourage litigants to exhaust remedies at the High Court level before approaching the apex court.