Question : Regional Benches of SC

(a) whether Government is aware that lakhs of litigants have to travel to New Delhi from extreme corners of this vast country to appear in Supreme Court to appeal against orders/judgments of the State High Courts;

(b) if so, whether in view of various representations, the Law Commission’s recommendation and in the interest of common man of the country, Government would initiate fresh efforts, in consultation with the Supreme Court to establish Benches of Supreme Court in four regions of the country; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRl P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) : Yes, Madam.

(b) to (c) : According to Article 130 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.


…2/-

-2-


Representations have been received from time to time from various quarters for establishment of Benches of Supreme Court in various parts of the country. The Law Commission, in its 229th Report had also suggested that a Constitutional Bench be set up at Delhi and four Cassation Benches be set up in the Northern region at Delhi, the Southern region at Chennai/Hyderabad, the Eastern region at Kolkata and the Western region at Mumbai.

The matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India, who has informed that after consideration of the matter, the Full Court in its meeting held on 18th February, 2010, found no justification for setting up of benches of the Supreme Court outside Delhi.

There is a Writ Petition (Civil) No.36 of 2016 filed in the Supreme Court on the subject of establishment of National Court of Appeal and the matter is sub-judice.