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Synopsis

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who assumed office nearly two years ago around this time, is all set to demit his post on November 10, 2024. CJI Chandrachud now has 5 working days left starting from November 4, the weeks after Supreme Court re-opens after its Diwali Vacations. 

His two-year stint has been an exceptional journey with the introduction of several path-breaking initiatives like adoption of technology to improve access to justice. In his own words, virtual hearings have democratised access to the Supreme Court by opening the space for people who could not appear before the Court without great difficulty.

As the Supreme Court reopens tomorrow post its Diwali break, CJI Chandrachud will have 5 working days till Friday. Here's a look at the major verdicts which he still has to deliver as the Chief Justice of India:

1. UP Madrasa Act: On October 22nd, the top Court has reserved its judgment on the petition filed by one Anjum Kadari challenging the striking down of Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004. Looking at the salutary purpose of the Madrasa Act, CJI Chandrachud had questioned if it was not in the national interest to recognize the Madrasas and regulate them accordingly. "You cannot just wish away hundreds of years of practise..if there is no regulation it would be a silo in itself..", CJI DY Chandrachud observed further. State of Uttar Pradesh had told the Supreme Court that the Allahabad High Court's decision to strike down the entire Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004 was not correct.
    
2. AMU Minority Status: A 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by the CJI has to also pronounce its decision on the plea by Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to decide on the question whether an educational institution created by a parliamentary statute enjoys minority status under Article 30 of the Constitution. In 2005, AMU had reserved 50% seats in postgraduate medical courses for Muslim candidates by claiming it to be a minority institution. This came to be set aside by the Allahabad High Court. A year later, in 2006, the then UPA Union government and AMU challenged the High Court's decision before the Supreme Court. 
    
3. LMV license issue: Can a person holding a driving license for light motor vehicles (LMV) be entitled to drive a unladen transport vehicle upto 7,500 kg in weight, is another question which the Supreme Court has to answer. Judgment on the issue was reserved in August this year by CJI Chandrachud led five judge bench. 

The Chief Justice of India is also seized of hearing a batch of contempt petitions raising concern over felling of 1200 trees in the Delhi ridge. Court has to hear the sides of DDA Chairperson and former Vice Chairperson on the discrepancies in their statement that it was only on 10th June that the Chairperson was apprised of the fact of felling of trees. This is to be taken up on Tuesday November 5.

In a major disappointment to the petitioner counsels before CJI Chandrachud, he had expressed his inability to conclude the hearing in the batch of petitions on criminalization of marital rape in a timely manner and listed them before a fresh bench. Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy had also requested CJI Chandrachud to hear the petitions saying that if all the counsels could be disciplined, they would complete the hearing as this was about millions of women.