Supreme Court refuses PIL seeking National Judicial Manpower Plan to achieve '50 judges per million population'

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a petition seeking to direct the Union of India and State Governments to implement the specific directions passed by the Supreme Court itself in cases of ‘Imtiyaz Ahmad Vs. State of U.P. and others’ and All India Judges Association and frame a time-bound National Judicial Manpower Plan to achieve 50 judges per million population.

A CJI Surya Kant led bench refused the plea which also sought the National Court Management Systems Committee (NCMSC) to formulate a scientific method for determining the basis for computing the required number of judges for the High Court and the Supreme Court of India on urgent basis in addition to the required number of judges in the District Courts on an ongoing basis every 5 years.

Filed by Forum for Fast Justice, the plea also sought formulation of a master plan of 5 years to finish the pending litigations in various courts by suitable means such as employing and taking assistance of the suitable retired judicial officers, suitable members of the Bar and other legal experts by appointing them as ad-hoc judges, if so required.

The plea also sought that Union and State Government must assess year wise progress of judicial infrastructure and facilities in the Courts and make available the required infrastructure, services, facilities, technology tools, equipment and suitably trained manpower that meets the needs and expectations of the litigants for a fast, transparent, efficient and cost effective justice without burdening the judicial officers with unbearable, unmanageable and irrational workload.

"India has now become a land where justice is either delayed, denied, or somehow gets sold to the highest bidder. The modern judicial system, once envisioned as the guardian of justice, has today degenerated into a self-serving institution where legal professionals thrive while justice remains elusive for the common man. What was meant to be an impartial, transparent, and efficient mechanism for resolving disputes has instead become a labyrinth of corruption, inefficiency, and endless litigation. The current day Indian justice delivery system has become a Meaningless Ritual in the Name of Justice but does not serve the need of justice of the citizens. It has become more of a Business for the Lawyers and Advocates exploiting their Clients for Profit leading to endless delays and thereby complete denial of justice," the PIL filed through AOR Anjani Kumar Mishra stated.

Court was further told that the current day justice delivery system ought to be replaced by a technology driven system within the framework of our constitution and various orders of the Supreme Court as well as the recommendations of various committees and organizations tasked with the purpose of facilitating fast, efficient, and transparent justice delivery system to the people of this country.    

The petitioner had earlier approached the Bombay High Court but no outcome was garnered.

Case Title: Forum for Fast Justice vs Union of India

Bench: CJI Kant, Justices Mahadevan and Bagchi

Hearing Date: January 27, 2026