Archive · 25 Jan 2026
CJI Urges High Courts to Be Proactive
The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, spoke at two events in Mumbai.
He said that high courts need to be more active and watchful to make sure the rule of law is followed.
He also talked about how important it is to solve problems outside of court, like through mediation and arbitration.
This helps save time and money and keeps relationships intact.
He praised the Maharashtra government for giving enough money to the judiciary.
The CJI also reminded everyone that high courts are very important because they are the first place people go for justice, not the Supreme Court.
He talked about how during the Emergency in the 1970s, people's rights were suppressed, and this taught us that rights without ways to protect them are not enough.
CJI Surya Kant urged high courts to be more proactive and alert to systematic failures in the rule of law.
He emphasized the need for strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms beyond the courtroom, such as mediation and arbitration.
CJI Kant praised the Maharashtra government for its liberal and adequate budget allocation for the judiciary.
He stressed that high courts are the primary sentinels guarding the rights of ordinary citizens, not just stepping stones to the Supreme Court.
The CJI highlighted the importance of high courts adapting to the digital era to make access to justice easier.
- Who
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- What
- Urged high courts to be more proactive and alert to systematic failures in the rule of law
- When
- January 24, 2026
- Where
- Mumbai
- Why
- To ensure justice is not delayed and to strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms
- Speaker
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Event
- Fali Nariman Memorial Lecture and Bombay High Court felicitation programme
- Location
- Mumbai
- Date
- January 24, 2026
- Key Message
- High courts must be proactive and alert to systematic failures in the rule of law
- Emphasis
- Strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms beyond the courtroom
- Budget
- Liberal and adequate in Maharashtra
Sources
HCs are ‘primary sentinel’, must be more proactive, alert to systematic failures in rule of law: CJI
‘Justice delayed is justice destroyed’: CJI Surya Kant says power of interim relief is often a citizen’s only real ‘access’
'Justice Delayed Is Not Only Justice Denied But Justice Destroyed': CJI Surya Kant | VIDEO
Transfer of judges internal matter of judiciary, government has no say in it: Justice Bhuyan
'State Protocol Not Politics': Sanjay Nirupam Defends Eknath Shinde-Pawar Presence At Chief Justice Suryakant Ceremony
Law without compassion becomes tyranny, compassion without law becomes chaos: CJI
