(a) whether the Union Government have received any proposal for setting up Circuit
Branch of Supreme Courtin Kolkata;
(b) if so, the details in this regard; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard so far on the proposal?
(a) whether the Union Government have received any proposal for setting up Circuit
Branch of Supreme Courtin Kolkata;
(b) if so, the details in this regard; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard so far on the proposal?
THE MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE AND MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI ARUN JAITLEY):
(a) 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.Representations/suggestions have, however,been received
from time to time from certain State Governments, including the Government of West Bengal,
Bar Associations etc. for establishing Benches of Supreme Court in various parts of the country,
including Kolkata.
The recommendation of the Department Parliamentary Standing Committee
Contained in its 61st report for setting up of Benches of the Supreme Court in Southern,
Western and North-Eastern parts of the country was referred to the Chief Justice of India on
29th June, 2000. The Chief Justice of India vide his tetter of May 2, 2001 conveyed that the
issue relating to setting up of Benches of the Supreme Court in Southern, Western and North-
Eastern parts of the country, as recommended by the Committee was considered in a Full Court
on 30th April, 2001 and after thorough reconsideration of the issue, the Full Court has
unanimously found no justification in deviating from their earlier Resolution on the subject.