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Synopsis

In a poignant revelation, Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, shed light on the stark reality of gender disparity within the Indian judiciary. CJI Chandrachud candidly acknowledged the grim reality, stating, "It is sad to say that some premises of district judiciary in India do not have washrooms for women lawyers and not even for women judges. This is the truth of the Indian judiciary... But now it is changing."

CJI Chandrachud made the remarks during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the proposed new High Court building for the Telangana High Court in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, which included Supreme Court judges and state government officials, CJI Chandrachud drew attention to the broader issue of inadequate infrastructure across district judiciary and high courts.

CJI Chandrachud highlighted a report prepared by the Supreme Court, which revealed significant deficits in infrastructure. He pointed out the absence of provisions for the disabled, including ramps and facilities for visually-impaired individuals, attributing these inequalities to the patriarchal system prevalent in society, stating, “The inequality is coming from our patriarchal system.”

Recognising the increasing representation of women in the judiciary, Justice Chandrachud stressed the importance of providing adequate facilities to support their participation. He commended the Telangana government for its commitment to addressing these challenges, particularly in allocating land for the construction of the new High Court building.

Moreover, while commending the efforts of the Telangana government and Chief Justice Alok Aradhe in facilitating the construction of the new High Court building, Justice Chandrachud also virtually inaugurated 32 e-sewa kendras in the district courts, highlighting the judiciary's evolving role in serving citizens in the digital age. CJI said “during British rule, people were expected to reach out to the judiciary. But times have changed now and the judiciary has to reach out to the citizens.”

He further remarked that the operations of the judiciary are characterised by mundanity and routine. However, he noted a shift in demographics, highlighting the impatience of the younger generation, “younger society is impatient for long waits and they are not in a position to wait for days, months and years for results. Lawyers of younger generations are also impatient,” he said.

However, amidst the ceremony's optimism, CJI Chandrachud expressed concern over the lack of mentoring values within the legal profession. He said, “Young lawyers are not mentored by the seniors. At the same time the senior Judges must mentor even lawyers as well as new judges.”